Metal Fume Fever claims another

[Hero]

http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor/safety3/index.htm

RIP PawPaw.

[Tom Zachman]

That was a sad turn of events. Thanks for the reminder.

[SlimJim]

That is a good reinder. Guys please read all of this if you have not and be damn careful when you go and buy scrap metal. If you dont know what coating is on a metal do not weld it!!!!!! It would probably be wise for all of us to spend the money for a air supplied welding hood just to be on the safe side.

BE CAREFUL

[chumly2071]

http://www.shopfloortalk.com/forums/...ead.php?t=3315

[Engloid]

Will the face mask type of respirators protect against the Zinc?

The reason I ask is that there's some guys that work for me that have complained about getting sick after welding some galvanized material. I've welded it many times and don't have any problem, provided I have a fan to suck fumes away from me. However, I don't want to rule out the possibility that they are getting sick from it (rather than complaining because they don't want to weld it.) I suspect that they just don't want to weld it. Therefore, I want to get them something that will protect them, so they have no excuse.

[Shade Tree Welder]

Originally Posted by Engloid

Will the face mask type of respirators protect against the Zinc?

The reason I ask is that there's some guys that work for me that have complained about getting sick after welding some galvanized material. I've welded it many times and don't have any problem, provided I have a fan to suck fumes away from me. However, I don't want to rule out the possibility that they are getting sick from it (rather than complaining because they don't want to weld it.) I suspect that they just don't want to weld it. Therefore, I want to get them something that will protect them, so they have no excuse.

3M makes several effective against metal fumes including zinc. I will have to get the number off the ones I stock, they are in the shop.

[Shade Tree Welder]

I have had very good luck with these.

Originally Posted by Box Label

3M 8214

Respirator N95 Particulate
3M recommended for welding on stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized steel, and other applications where ozone and nuisance organic vapors (read side panel for use) may be present.

I think they are around $6 bucks each. I buy them in boxes of 10.

[dirtdigger]

Shade, are you talking about a cartridge for a full face resp. (gas mask style painters use) or the little rubber band dust type masks?

I had to cut and weld on some galv. for my chinmey (it's mounted outside the shop), but while cutting it I had the doors open and a good breeze blowing the smoke away. thanks to the posts on here (franz's old one) I was scared to death working with that stuff. My brother did some welding on galv. a couple years ago and ended up in the hospital. luckily he came out alright. first thing he did was buy a good resporator backpack mask.

Those 3-M masks sound like a must for any shop.

[Engloid]

Thanks for the numbers...I'll look into it. I actually have a couple of those, but not sure if the part number is exact.

I'll look into the specs on them, provide them to the guys complaining, and they can weld it or I may have to find somebody else to do it.

[Shade Tree Welder]

Originally Posted by dirtdigger

Shade, are you talking about a cartridge for a full face resp. (gas mask style painters use) or the little rubber band dust type masks?
.....

They are not full or half face respirators with cartridges. But they are not the cheapie dust masks. They have a rubber gasket for a face seal, if you have a beard it most like will not seal. They have multiple layers to clean the incoming air and a valve for exhaust. They are disposable and will last an 8 hour work day. You will want to keep them sealed in a ziplok bag or similar container when not in use. Since I purchase a box at a time they come in a resealable bag.