There is new scientific evidence from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that exposure to mild steel welding fume can cause lung cancer and possibly kidney cancer in humans.
The UK Workplace Health Expert Committee has endorsed the reclassification of mild steel welding fume as a human carcinogen.
As this decision was accepted by the committee and the Health & Safety Executive, with immediate effect, there is a strengthening of HSE’s enforcement expectation for all welding fume, including mild steel welding; because general ventilation does not achieve the necessary control.
The HSE has published a safety notice relating to this: http://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/mild-steel-welding-fume.htm
As this will affect anyone who welds, not only full time welders, but maintenance engineers, tool room staff etc. and anyone else who does the occasional bit of welding, it is important that you please share this information with your relevant stakeholders, duty-holders, members, supply chain, contractors etc.