FARMERS HAVE been reminded of the risks to themselves and farmworkers from the fumes released during welding work.

The Health and Safety Executive’s current programme of inspections is reviewing health and safety standards on farms across the country, and farmers are being encouraged to access HSE’s revised guidance to remind themselves of changes to what is expected of them.

With reference to fumes from welding, employers must ensure that there are adequate controls in place to avoid or reduce workers' exposure, using local exhaust ventilation where effective, and providing suitable respiratory protective equipment where necessary.

This reminder follows a safety alert issued in February 2019 after new evidence from the International Agency for Research on Cancer showed exposure to mild steel welding fume can cause lung cancer and possibly kidney cancer in humans.

Acting head of agriculture at HSE Adrian Hodkinson said: “Everyone involved in farming has a role to play. While welding carried out in the agricultural sector can be infrequent or of low-intensity, employers still need to understand the risk they and their employees face in terms of exposure to welding fume, and the simple ways they can be managed.

“Farmers are reminded that death, injuries and cases of ill-health are not an inevitable part of farming. HSE has a range of guidance to help you protect your workers and COSHH advice sheets to help you know the risks, plan your work and control the risk from hazardous substances in welding."