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Looking to reduce your life expectancy...

Welder Dave

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I posted this a response on another forum but thought it would be of interest to a lot of members. Can't see anyone in their right mind applying.

Welder (Gouger) - ClearStream Energy Services (monster.ca)

The carbon from gouging on its own is very bad for your lungs. Chromium is about the absolute worst thing for your lungs. A full-time job involving both, might as well pick your burial plot. I don't care how good of respirator or ventilation the shop has there is not enough money in the world to put your health in that much risk.
This line from the ad is hypocritical. I think a person would have to be on drugs to even apply!
This position has been identified as a safety sensitive position and will require completion of drug and alcohol testing.
Occasional gouging in an open area for relatively short periods can be done relatively safe. A full-time job on chromium carbide inside of pipes wouldn't take much to pose a serious health risk.
 
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DMiller

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Hexavalent Chromium concerns started a few decades back, prior many welders were subjected to lung damage that doctors had few ideas what caused. With all the Stainless going in as piping, metal shops building SS fence or sheet panels, the welders were presented this on a mass scale. Welding with gas or arc on high carbon steels the black boogers we blew were as bad as in the coal mines. Most smoked as well making it all the worse. Supplied Air respirators helped, better shop ventilation helped but all too many conditions required full on exposure even to today.

Welding is no worse a trade than electrician or mechanic where end up exposed to all manner of chemicals that absorb thru skin and protective measures are at best iffy to complacent excuses to not pay for damages. Much as hearing protection is purported as the fix all where has been noted anything over certain dB levels nothing helps. We all pay a price for doing our jobs, desk workers pay in Vit D Deficiencies and poor air quality health issues as mass allergies, constant flu like symptoms, white skin that does not heal well and onset osteoporosis at earlier ages. Every task we take on has concerns, just have to pick our poisons.
 

92U 3406

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Still not worth the risk.

Not sure what happened but 92U and my other response disappeared. Strange.
Response was on the other thread I think.

Welding is definitely a nasty process. Like I mentioned on the other thread, the extent of my welding is maybe welding up a small crack on a thumb or a small fabrication job on a table. Even if its just a couple quick tacks I still put on the P100 respirator. We've got a decent filtration system and makeup air setup. Very rarely can you see/smell any smoke/haze in the shop, which is good.
 

92U 3406

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Hexavalent Chromium concerns started a few decades back, prior many welders were subjected to lung damage that doctors had few ideas what caused. With all the Stainless going in as piping, metal shops building SS fence or sheet panels, the welders were presented this on a mass scale. Welding with gas or arc on high carbon steels the black boogers we blew were as bad as in the coal mines. Most smoked as well making it all the worse. Supplied Air respirators helped, better shop ventilation helped but all too many conditions required full on exposure even to today.

Welding is no worse a trade than electrician or mechanic where end up exposed to all manner of chemicals that absorb thru skin and protective measures are at best iffy to complacent excuses to not pay for damages. Much as hearing protection is purported as the fix all where has been noted anything over certain dB levels nothing helps. We all pay a price for doing our jobs, desk workers pay in Vit D Deficiencies and poor air quality health issues as mass allergies, constant flu like symptoms, white skin that does not heal well and onset osteoporosis at earlier ages. Every task we take on has concerns, just have to pick our poisons.
Pretty much just pick your poison. I wish I'd have taken PPE a little more seriously in my early days though. I've always worn safety glasses 100% of the time regardless of company policy. I'm convinced they've saved my eyes several times over the years.

These days I'm always wearing nitrile gloves when dealing with oil, fuel, etc. I'm even to the point where I've started wearing a respirator when using the varsol tank or painting. Even at home I now put on a dust mask when cutting boards and what not.

There's risk to every occupation but I'd like to not be broken by the time I hit retirement if I can help it.
 

OzDozer

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I read an authoritative article a few years back where the doc stated that mechanics live 5 years less than the average, simply because they paddle in used engine oil daily with mostly bare hands, and used engine oil contains more carcinogens from the by-products of combustion, than anything else around.
A friend was a plumber, and he got mesothelioma at 74 and was dead in 6 mths. They traced it back to the amount of white asbestos used in plumbing and piping, that he handled many times, over 50 years.
 

DMiller

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Painting the truck, had to keep airflow OUT from the shop, with a Full face respirator and good 3M Cartridges did not smell paint of reducer when painting. Modern Enamels are hard on lungs as much as anything.
 

Truck Shop

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In 93 and 94 I worked for a irrigation and domestic well company. I had to cut and weld on galvanized
pipe and culvert on a daily basis. Before I started work there an agreement was made first, I would be
supplied a brand new Jackson fresh air hood with filter/battery pack belt. If it isn't clean raw material
I won't weld it. Has to be clean.
 

Welder Dave

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I think in the case of the gouging job I posted even a PAPR helmet would need new filters several times a day. There are hazards in most jobs but on a scale of potential risks to your health this job would be near the top. Can't see anyone wanting to go inside pipe to gouge 8 hours on a daily basis. I think it would take a toll on your body too having to contort your body for hours at a time everyday.
 

DMiller

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Cannot say I helped myself very much early on
Four major food groups for over twenty years
Caffeine
Nicotine
Salt
Sugar

additional supplements of Chocolate, Barley Soda, Corn Squeezins, Popcorn and Pork

Often the corn squeezins and barley pop was blended, not the best idea ever had.
 

Camshawn

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I’ve always tried to follow best practices in PPE but I didn’t always know… I’m really anal about safety glasses, boots, and hearing protection but don’t always recognize the need for dust masks or respirators. I will cut something on the saw or weld and not put a respirator/dust mask on as I will only be a minute. I recognize the flaw and am working to be better but it is hard. I think about it as I’m finished the job. Hopefully writing this will reinforce better habits. Cam
 
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92U 3406

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