welding galvanise

[apprenticetom]

hey lads i was welding galvanise gates all day today and feel really sick in my stomach and have a bad cough. is this normal to happen from galvanise or have i som other sickness? sory if this is in the wrong section.
cheers
tom

 

[the snooper]

galvy does that to you but it will clear avoid the fumes in future it wont leave any lasting illness

 

[Spark plug]

Yes it's caused from the Galv fumes, I drink pleanty of milk it usually helps. But It is to be avoided as it's not good for your health.

 

[PTvor]

Fume fever. You don't want it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_fume_fever

Drinking a few pints of milk is reckoned to help.

Loads of other references you can find with Google.

Either grind the galv off, or get rid of it with acid, or use a proper fume extractor, or a helmet with an air supply.

Apart from the fumes from galvanised steel, you don't want to breath any welding fumes more than you have to. Many packets of welding rods have an H&S warning on about chronic maganese poisoning from welding fumes.

 

[Hitch]

While you are feeling ill, have a read of this....

Plenty of threads about it here, avoid if at all possible, if not, wear suitable mask etc.
Assuming you are an apprentice? They must be teaching you badly if they havn't mention any of the problems to you.

 

[apprenticetom]

thanks for the replys lads. ya well i was on a site all day and was avoiding teh fumes best i could but now im sick ah its done now il no for next time. il have a few pints of milk now

 

[apprenticetom]

those two links were intresting reads thanks lads

 

[TechnicAl]

To be honest I believe the milk thing is an urban myth perpetuated by unscrupulous Employers.

It will go on its own with time

Be careful and use PPE / fume extraction

or grind off the galv before welding (wearing a mask)

 

[apprenticetom]

thanks for your reply TechnicAl il give it a whack anyways seemed to work for aluminium for me before

 

[Rrunnach]

Make sure risk assessment is in place, if not, demand one, assess doc will outline hazards and, methods to reduce risk, in this case, from galvi fume.

I see your Eire, I would imagine H&S law mirrors UK H&S law?

 

[snowcat]

Seams amazing that if your an apprentice no one has clued you up on this, what other risks are you being exposed to?

The effects are 100% avoidable with the correct knowledge and PPE, so theres little excuse that you are suffering, Fume effects are cumulative so not taking proper precautions now, could render serious problems latter in life.

 

[apprenticetom]

this was my first time welding glav and will definatly be my last. I think the laws are similar on health and safety alright. usually its not to bad a work environment but this si my last week with that employer so il be glad to see a change of work environment. the way things are lifted in work also are ridiculously careless often girders are lifted by a hydrolic arm couple of feet over my head couple of close calls this year

 

[jacky-s]

Yip i agree with the milk theory too, the best way is avoid welding galv where a mask and give it a good grind till its bare metal. "you shuldnt be welding over galve in the 1st place" too much porosity, I hope you have learnt a lesson.

 

[apprenticetom]

ya learned a lesson alright ha. i had my suspicions before i started welding it but the boss said " never did me any harm work away" when i rang him that night about teh sickness all i got was " ya that happend me a few times aswel"

 

[Engineer1964]

ya learned a lesson alright ha. i had my suspicions before i started welding it but the boss said " never did me any harm work away" when i rang him that night about teh sickness all i got was " ya that happend me a few times aswel"

Yep sounds like one of the bosses that always die early of Lung Cancer or Something, If you don't want to follow him down that route, then get kitted up and make sure he provides adequate PPE

 

[apprenticetom]

hes one of them carless fellers carles is an understatement actually anyways new job next week so hopefully it will work out better

 

[jacky-s]

If you are young enough go for a apprentiship wish i had done it years ago,,the money will be crap but at least your gonna learn a trade. Seems to me that your present boss doesnt give a s**t, safety first kidda.

 

[shirazman]

I cannot believe as an apprentice your employer is having you do that. Those fumes are LETHAL. Ive been a welder for 20 plus years and i would never weld galv. WHY are you welding galv anyway? For a kick of you dont get a decent weld let alone the health risks. Your boss wants a kick up the ****. Your lungs are far more important than any job

 

[apprenticetom]

ya your right there mate i was told that it is good to weld as is

 

[lincoln17]

I got the galvie flu a few years ago, it should clear after a day or so, I have never welded galvanised steel indoors since. I'm sure someone told me the fumes have cynide in them and if you have to weld it an air fed mask should be used. You should also grind the galv away from the weld area.