Collection Occupational hygiene, Issue 26, 1990 year

Hygienic characteristics and ways of improving the working conditions of workers engaged in welding and surfacing of cast iron

А. В. Рязанов

doi

Киевский НИИ гигиены труда и профзаболеваний

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At present, cast iron is widely used as a structural material in various branches of mechanical engineering, which determines a significant scale of work on welding, surfacing of cast iron parts, and welding of casting defects. The consumer capacity of the industry in the production of coated electrodes alone, intended for manual arc welding and cladding of cast iron, exceeds 5000 tons per year. The technological features of such low-mechanized processes determine the specific specifics of working conditions, which are characterized by an unfavorable effect on the working welding aerosols and gases, static and thermal (when welding with preheated products) loads and other harmful production factors.

Our studies have shown that the concentrations of harmful substances - ingredients of solid and gas components of welding aerosols (TSSA and GSSA) in the breathing zone of workers in most cases are dozens of times higher than the MPC values ​​established for them (Table 1). All this causes an increased risk of developing occupational diseases among welders and cast iron welders, in the structure of which pneumoconiosis, chronic bronchitis, and chronic intoxication with metals and gases account for the greatest proportion [1, 2]. In order to prevent occupational diseases, it is necessary to carry out multifaceted recreational activities, among which the most important role belongs to the improvement of the state of the air environment.

According to our research, welding and surfacing of cast iron are accompanied by the formation of harmful substances, the qualitative composition and concentration of which in the breathing zone of workers depend on their specific emissions, the equipment of workplaces with local ventilation devices.

The processes of mechanized arc surfacing of cast iron parts in natural gas and gas mixtures based on propane-butane and oxygen are promising in terms of hygiene, since they allow for more effective improvement of the air environment at workplaces, and improve working conditions in general.

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