To protect workers from these potentially harmful exposures, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provide clear guidance on the correct respiratory protection for air arc gouging, as outlined in their WL16 document. [https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/wl16.pdf]

Understanding the Risks
During air arc gouging, intense heat and high-pressure air cause metal to vaporize, releasing metal fumes, ozone, and other harmful airborne contaminants. These fumes can pose serious respiratory health risks, including lung disease, metal fume fever, and long-term complications from inhaling toxic metals like chromium and manganese. The correct respiratory protection is essential to safeguard workers’ health.

HSE WL16 Guidelines for Respiratory Protection
HSE WL16 specifies the respiratory protection requirements based on the type and scale of air arc gouging, with considerations for the working environment, duration of work and material being gouged.

1. Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR)
WL16 recommends using powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) with a welding headtop as a minimum for air arc gouging. PAPR is only suitable for gouging tasks that are no longer than 30 minutes per shift. PAPRs should use appropriate filters, usually a minimum of P3 with a pre-filter, and have a minimum protection factor of 40, but care must be taken to ensure specify correctly according to material being gouged.

2. Airline Breathing Apparatus
Where work extends beyond 30 minutes per shift Airline Breathing Apparatus must be used. This ensures a constant independent air supply to the user, but care must be taken to ensure that the system is correctly certificated and compliant in all aspects. This is an area that is not well understood so non-compliant systems are common and do not adequately protect the workers’ health, as well as leaving the operating company open to prosecution. See our articles on Long Duration Breathing Apparatus and Safe Airline Breathing Apparatus Systems

3. Fit Testing and Maintenance
Proper fit testing of respiratory equipment is critical for ensuring its effectiveness. HSE WL16 emphasises that workers should be trained on how to properly use and maintain their respiratory protection equipment. Regular maintenance and checks should be conducted to ensure that filters and components are functioning correctly, ensuring continuous protection.

4. Gas Detection for Monitoring Air Quality
To further protect workers; employers should use area gas detection to monitor air quality in areas where air arc gouging occurs. This monitoring helps identify any unexpected increase in hazardous fume levels and allows for timely adjustments to ventilation or respiratory protection if necessary.

5. Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
Whilst Respiratory Protection provides personal protection, they should ideally be used in conjunction with local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems. This combined approach helps minimize exposure to hazardous airborne contaminants, making it easier to maintain safer air quality during the gouging process.

Proper respiratory protection is crucial for air arc gouging, where workers are exposed to harmful fumes and particulates. As outlined in HSE WL16, using powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) or Airline Breathing Apparatus supplemented with local exhaust ventilation provides effective protection. By adhering to these guidelines, employers can ensure that workers are safeguarded from the respiratory risks associated with air arc gouging.

For assistance in setting up these aspects of your next Air Arc Gouging task, Breathe Safety Services provide free advice, so please get in touch.