Question for CAREER welders only

[MarkG]

Question for CAREER welders

I understand there are probably a lot of 'hobby/occasional welders' on here, and nothing wrong with that, but this question is for the guys that are under the hood all day, every day, exposed to welding fumes and smoke.

What are you using (hopefully, SOMEthing!!!) to protect your lungs-----a PAPR system, disposable respirators, a dual-cartrige respirator, or something else? Granted, a great 'smoke sucker' right at the source would be ideal, but in big industrial (factory) situations, we all know that just doesn't happen! If you are using a PAPR on the job, what brand/model is it and how do you like it?

I recently applied to yet another welding job and asked if they'd consider supplying a PAPR of some sort or at least helping me pay for one. Metal fumes are one of the worst things you can breath (I know-----I started out studying respiratory therapy!! Go figure....) I never smoked and am not about to ruin my lungs for any employer at this stage of my life. Sadly, many young guys probably have no idea of how bad the fumes are for you!

At the bare minimum, I'll probably use my dual cartridge mask under my helmet.

Thanks to all who contribute!

 

[marineman]

I'm not a welder by trade but my dad owned a steel erecting business and I ran the shop for a while. Our ironworkers were outside 90% of the time which helps but we were using the 3M PAPR for confined spaces at the time. They have a newer design now than what we had then so can't really comment on the new ones but the consesus on the old ones was they're good but they're hot to wear in summer.

 

[MarkG]

I'm not a welder by trade but my dad owned a steel erecting business and I ran the shop for a while. Our ironworkers were outside 90% of the time which helps but we were using the 3M PAPR for confined spaces at the time. They have a newer design now than what we had then so can't really comment on the new ones but the consesus on the old ones was they're good but they're hot to wear in summer.

hmmm.......I would have thought the blowing air would have made them COOLER to wear in the summer, compared to just the helmet alone or helmet and mask. Thanks for the input.

 

[GaryM909]

I have used the 3M particulate respirators with the pancake filters. Probably should have worn it more than I did. I have been a career welder for over 40 years but I mostly work outside. Most of the shops around here have exhaust systems that helps quite a bit.

 

[eaglefan1]

I was a union pipe welder for years, did underwater welding also but that doesn't apply here.. Never thought about. Never seen anyone use them while welding. Worked from east coast to colorado and not one time. I couldn't stand wearing something on my face all day.
Worked in many coal burners and those are nasty. After about 3 days you start blowing black **** out of your nose

 

[MarkG]

I was a union pipe welder for years, did underwater welding also but that doesn't apply here.. Never thought about. Never seen anyone use them while welding. Worked from east coast to colorado and not one time. I couldn't stand wearing something on my face all day.
Worked in many coal burners and those are nasty. After about 3 days you start blowing black **** out of your nose

Exactly. And in most cases----you're blowing junk out sooner than that. And what you DON'T see is all the **** that stays in your lungs! And that's just the first day.....Your own functioning lungs are pretty handy things to have. Wearing a respirator is a good way to keep them.

It's just plain stupid to not use good respirators or else good LOCAL smoke suckers (right near the source). Working outside as you did would be the best option, but, alas, most factories and much industry is indoors.....

If you're not a smoker and you weld full-time with poor fume extraction or no respiratory protection, you just became a chain smoker, for all practical purposes.

 

[Orangestang]

I've been a Sheet Metal Worker for 28yrs now welding on and off for most of that lots of Galvanized stuff,always had a good exhaust system man does that **** smoke. Union paid for chest Xrays I had last week, their checking for damage from asbestos, silica and fiberglass insulation etc, I feel fine just preventive stuff

 

[Slackerzinc]

Been a Boilermaker for 15 years, we use full face mask or half mask with organic vapour/P100 particulate filters

 

[eaglefan1]

I can absolutely see a boilermaker wearing them. I Have 4 retired uncles and a few cousins out of the NJ local. Enclosed area, nasty stuff.
I just never wore any of it, never gave it any thought. If I was worried about that and every other thing that I was exposed to, I would drive myself crazy. Nuclear plants, chemical plants, coal burners, chip plants, paper mills, etc.
I hated steel toe boots also, wore them the first day on the job and then I wore regular boots. Didn't like wearing a hard hat hooked to my welding hood either. Satay glasses, always. Starched Carhart denim shirt, always

 

[eaglefan1]

I can absolutely see a boilermaker wearing them. I Have 4 retired uncles and a few cousins out of the NJ local. Enclosed area, nasty stuff.
I just never wore any of it, never gave it any thought. If I was worried about that and every other thing that I was exposed to, I would drive myself crazy. Nuclear plants, chemical plants, coal burners, chip plants, paper mills, etc.
I hated steel toe boots also, wore them the first day on the job and then I wore regular boots. Didn't like wearing a hard hat hooked to my welding hood either. Satay glasses, always. Starched Carhart denim shirt, always

Galvanized stuff is nasty, have a glass of milk ready when your done.

 

[BigMike782]

3M and Miller both offer HEPA filter type PAPR systems but at about 15-1800.00
This is a new system out,
https://cleanspacetechnology.com/us/
About 800.00 and you use it with your favorite helmet.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

I wear a sport atv style mask if im welding on greasy and painted stuff thatll get smoky but not often otherwise while welding as it fogs my lens faster wearing it. I do wear the mask all the time when grinding. Under a bright white light you can see the metal shavings floating in the air and thats what id rather avoid than the smoke.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

However, the majority of my work is outdoors, so a constant supply of fresh air makes things more tolerable. If Im welding in somebodys shop somewhere I always try to open the doors or use a fan if im doing stick as i can smoke the room out in a matter of minutes lol

 

[danski0224]

Last time I was under a hood all day, every day, for several weeks, I was using a 3M half face respirator that I provided with P100 filters.

The respirator deflected the exhaust down, so no issues with foggy glasses or hood lens.

If I was doing that every day as a career, I'd certainly look at a PAPR.

Use of a respirator instead of a mask triggers OSHA requirements that the employer doesn't want to deal with. I have been told to put away my respirator and have refused. I can't breathe too well through most paper masks after a little while (probably from moisture buildup) and they fog up my glasses. The only N95 mask I can wear is a Moldex brand with the blue plastic mesh on the outside (but not good for welding).

If the PAPR systems weren't $1,200+ or if that assignment was longer term, I would have bought one. The exterior of my P100 filters quickly became discolored, and I was just MIG welding clean steel- nothing exotic or dirty.

Edit: The Cleanspace product looks interesting.

 

[trackwelder]

This is the one that I use currently with an auto dark lens. https://www.pksafety.com/pureflo-welding-helmet-pf60esm-pr02000-shl/