Aluminium Welding Fume
COSHH assessment
A COSHH assessment for aluminium welding fume on a UK construction site: what it does to people, how it gets into them, the controls that stop it, the PPE for what is left, and what to do when it goes wrong. Copy it into your assessment and change what does not fit your job.
Hazards to health
Aluminium oxide fume, respiratory irritation, possible link to neurological effects with high prolonged exposure. WEL 10 mg/m3 inhalable, 4 mg/m3 respirable. Magnesium content (Al-Mg alloys), fume fever. Ozone produced by TIG arc.
Routes of exposure
Inhalation
Control measures
- LEV at point of arc.
- Pre-clean with degreasing wipe, not solvent that would generate phosgene under arc.
- Adequate ventilation.
- Avoid TIG in confined spaces without forced ventilation (ozone).
- Health surveillance.
PPE for what is left
- Powered airfed welding helmet (TH2/TH3) preferred, FFP3 fallback, Welding gauntlets, FR overalls
Emergency procedures
- Move to fresh air.
- Metal fume fever symptoms (delayed 4-12 hrs): GP same day.
- Persistent cough: A&E.
Questions people ask
Do I need a COSHH assessment for aluminium welding fume?
If the substance is hazardous to health and your work exposes people to it, yes. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, regulation 6, require a suitable and sufficient assessment before the work starts, with the significant findings recorded if you employ five or more. The safety data sheet is an input to the assessment, not a substitute for it. Guidance, not legal advice.
What is the difference between a safety data sheet and a COSHH assessment?
The data sheet is the manufacturer describing the product in general. The assessment is you describing how your people use it on your job: how much, how often, for how long, in what ventilation, with what controls. Two firms using the same tin can have very different assessments.
What is a WEL?
A Workplace Exposure Limit, the maximum airborne concentration averaged over a reference period, set in HSE document EH40. For this substance: WEL 10 mg/m3 inhalable, 4 mg/m3 respirable.
Is PPE enough?
No. COSHH puts PPE last: eliminate the substance, substitute for something less harmful, control at source with ventilation and enclosure, then organise the work to reduce exposure, and only then PPE for what is left. An assessment that jumps straight to gloves and a mask is the kind an inspector questions. Guidance, not legal advice.
How often should it be reviewed?
When the product, the method, the quantities or the people change, if there is any sign the controls are not working, and at least every year or so regardless. Health surveillance may be required where exposure could cause an identifiable disease, such as dermatitis or occupational asthma.
The COSHH assessment writes itself
Pick the substance in the SiteLynx RAMS editor and the COSHH assessment fills in with the hazards, controls and PPE, alongside the HAVS and noise assessments for the tools you chose. Signed on site on a phone. 14 days free.
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