California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders
Group 16 - Control of Hazardous Substances
Article 107 - Dusts, Fumes, Mists, Vapors and Gases
Section 5150 - Ventilation and Personal Protective Equipment Requirements for Welding, Brazing and Cutting

Universal Citation: 8 CA Code of Regs 5150

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Mechanical Ventilation for Indoor Operations. Local exhaust systems providing a minimum air velocity of 100 lineal feet per minute in the welding zone shall be used except as otherwise specified by this Section.

(1) Where local exhaust ventilation is not feasible, mechanical dilution ventilation sufficient to prevent exposures to concentrations of airborne contaminants from exceeding those specified in Section 5155 shall be provided.

(2) Respiratory protective equipment, in accordance with Section 5144, shall be used when the methods described in paragraphs (a) and (a)(1) above are not feasible.

(3) Where workplace monitoring records clearly demonstrate that exposure levels specified in Section 5155 are not exceeded, neither mechanical ventilation nor respiratory protective equipment is required.

NOTE: Where workplace monitoring has demonstrated that exposure levels are not exceeded under the worst conditions, then the same data may be used under more favorable conditions.

(b) Toxic Substances Used in Any Enclosed Space.

(1) Local exhaust ventilation shall be used when potentially hazardous materials are employed as base metals, fluxes, coatings, platings or filler metals. These include, but are not limited to, the following materials:

(A) Beryllium

(B) Cadmium

(D) Fluorides

(E) Lead

(F) Mercury

(G) Zinc

(H) Inert-gas metal-arc welding or oxygen cutting of stainless steel

(2) The exhaust system shall be vented in a manner such that workers and others are not exposed to hazardous concentrations of toxic substances.

(3) When the nature of the work is such that local exhaust ventilation is not an effective means for preventing potentially hazardous exposure levels, as specified by Section 5155, supplied-air respirators shall be worn.

(c) Toxic Substances Used in the Open Air. Where toxic substances such as those listed in paragraph (b)(1) are used, respiratory protective equipment, in accordance with Section 5144, shall be provided except as otherwise specified by this subsection.

(1) In operations involving beryllium-containing base or filler metals, only supplied-air respirators shall be used.

(2) Except for operations involving beryllium, cadmium, lead or mercury, respiratory protective equipment is not required when natural or mechanical ventilation is sufficient to remove welding fumes from the breathing zone of the workers.

(d) Improper Use of Welding Gases. Compressed gases used for welding and cutting shall not be used for ventilation purposes, comfort cooling, blowing dust from clothing, or cleaning the work area.

(e) Chlorinated Hydrocarbons. Degreasing or other operations involving chlorinated hydrocarbons shall be located or controlled such that vapors from these operations will not enter the atmosphere surrounding any welding or cutting operations to prevent the degradation of such chlorinated hydrocarbon vapors to more highly toxic gases by the action of heat or ultraviolet radiation.

(f) Hazard communication. The employer shall include the potentially hazardous materials employed in fluxes, coatings, coverings, and filler metals, all of which are potentially used in welding and cutting, or are released to the atmosphere during welding and cutting, in the program established to comply with the Hazard Communication Standard (Section 5194). The employer shall ensure that each employee has access to labels on containers of such materials and safety data sheets, and is trained in accordance with the provisions of Section 5194. Potentially hazardous materials shall include but not be limited to the materials listed in Articles 107, 109 and 110 of these Orders.

(1) Additional considerations for hazard communication in welding, cutting, and brazing.

(A) The suppliers shall determine and shall label in accordance with Section 5194 any hazards associated with the use of their materials in welding, cutting, and brazing.

(B) In addition to any requirements imposed by Section 5194, all filler metals and fusible granular materials shall carry the following notice, as a minimum, on tags, boxes, or other containers:

Do not use in areas without adequate ventilation. See ANSI Z49.1-1967 Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes published by the American Welding Society.

(C) Where brazing (welding) filler metals contain cadmium in significant amounts, the labels shall indicate the hazards associated with cadmium including cancer, lung and kidney effects, and acute toxicity effects.

(D) Where brazing and gas welding fluxes contain fluorine compounds, the labels shall indicate the hazards associated with fluorine compounds including eye and respiratory tract effects.

(2) Prior to June 1, 2015, employers may include the following information on labels in lieu of the labeling requirements in subsection (f)(1):

(A) All filler metals and fusible granular materials shall carry the following notice, as a minimum, on tags, boxes or other containers:CAUTION

Welding may produce fumes and gases hazardous to health. Avoid breathing these fumes and gases. Use adequate ventilation.

(B) Filler metals containing cadmium and cadmium-plated materials shall carry the following notice on tags, boxes or other containers:WARNING CONTAINS CADMIUM. POISONOUS FUMES MAY BE FORMED ON HEATING.

Do not breathe fumes. Use only with adequate ventilation such as fume collectors, exhaust ventilators, or supplied-air respirators. If chest pain, cough, or fever develops after use, call physician immediately.

NOTE: The intent of calling a physician is to provide immediate medical services.

This flux when heated gives off fumes that may irritate eyes, nose, and throat.

1. Avoid fumes--use only in well-ventilated spaces.

2. Avoid contact of flux with eyes or skin.

3. Do not take internally.

1. New section filed 7-18-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 29).
2. Amendment filed 7-16-76; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 76, No. 29).
3. Amendment of subsections within subsection (f) and amendment of NOTE filed 5-6-2013; operative 5-6-2013 pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(4)(C). Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(4) (Register 2013, No. 19).
4. Amendment of subsections within subsection (f) and amendment of NOTE refiled 11-6-2013; operative 11-6-2013 pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(4)(C). Submitted to OAL for printing only pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(4) (Register 2013, No. 45).
5. Repealer of 11-6-2013 order by operation of law 5-6-2014 pursuant to Labor Code 142.3 (Register 2014, No. 19).
6. Amendment of subsections within subsection (f) and amendment of NOTE filed 5-5-2014; operative 5-6-2014 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2014, No. 19).

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

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