Assessment of occupational electromagnetic hazards related to the operation of arc welding equipment

Project manager: Jolanta Karpowicz Ph.D. (Eng.)

Project summary:

The aim of the task was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of electromagnetic hazards and an assessment of workers' exposure when they operate various kinds of arc welding equipment. This analysis required methods that made it possible to identify and measure fields of a complex frequency spectrum and to register the time-variability of the field level, at different parameters of welding.Workers' exposure to the magnetic field was measured when they operated selected welding equipment, taking consideration its dependence on the technology applied for individual welding processes. Systematic measurements included identification of electromagnetic hazards, spot measurements of the distribution of the fields where workers were present, registration of time-variability of the levels of the field, personal monitoring, an analysis of the frequency spectrum and numerical simulations were performed.During the task electromagnetic fields were systematically measured at selected workplace. Numerical simulations were carried out with the developed models of typical conditions of welder's exposure. That was the basis of a comparative analysis of electromagnetic hazards present in the vicinity of various kinds of arc welding equipment and for various processes. Metrological requirements were established for equipment for measuring fields with frequency spectrum characteristics and levels typical for magnetic fields present during welding.Arc welding equipment used in the industry were reviewed and characterized from the point of view of the fields they emit and the hazards they cause for workers.Guideline materials were developed. They cover hazards as well as methods and the scope of measuring welders' exposure. They also cover guidelines for measurements and assessment of workers' exposure to electromagnetic fields when they use various kinds of arc welding equipment.

Unit: Department of Bioelectromagnetism

Duration: 01.01.2005 – 31.12.2007