Welding whilst pregnant - risks?

[Alfietinker]

Hi,

I've finally been accepted onto a beginners introductory welding course at night school. All was well until I discovered I'll be 24 weeks pregnant when I start in January. The course is 10 weeks long and I feel I will be able to cope with it, unless I develop complications nearer the time.

The college however have never come up against this before. The H&S lady has photocopied some information from a book which says the use of lead poses a risk and therefore the course is unsuitable for me. However, if I get a doctor's letter saying it's OK then they'll let me start.

Now obviously I don't want to do anything that would cause any damage to the little one. But equally this will be my last chance for a while, financially and time-wise, to do anything like this.

Does anybody have any knowledge of the actual risks posed? Where is lead used and would it be possible to avoid that element? Surely adults take precautions to avoid lead anyway?

The course will cover Mig, Arc and Oxy-acetelene.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Wozzaaah]

Hi Alfietinker, first off, congratulations. My thoughts would be err on the side of caution but....if there's proper fume extraction equipment, which I'd expect a classroom to have, then the risks are considerably lowered. I'm guessing it's one night a week for ten weeks? If so then to be honest, your exposure to welding fumes will be reasonably minimal but I did come across this article which might help.

 

[rtbcomp]

The Doctor's the obvious person to ask, go armed with info about materials used on the course. I don't see lead being an issue, but there are various fumes involved. With what's at stake you need proper professional advice.

 

[Alfietinker]

Thanks you two.

I'm trying to get to speak to the tutor (who is very hard to get hold of!) to find out about the materials etc. I certainly wouldn't go ahead without a doctor's say so but I need to be armed with all the info before I see him as I doubt he'll know much about welding!

As far as I know at the moment, I mentioned the baby to the admissions team, who asked the tutor, who passed it on to H&S and it's H&S that has found something in a book about lead. It's all a little bit vague until I can see exactly what information they are talking about.

I'm pretty sure they have proper extraction facilities but obviously I'll check. Whilst I was waiting for H&S to come back, people I spoke to could only think of fumes as causing any potential risk, so it's the lead that has now thrown me.

 

[Drains]

There won't be any lead used in the course, unless they are teaching plumbing (leadwork).

Welding fumes are an issue for anybody, but the college would normally have quality extraction.

As said above, speak to your doctor, and maybe do a google on welding fumes and health risks. This is a good article. There are many others.

As should anyone welding:- keep your head out of the fumes, use proper extraction, wear a mask, if necessary.

I think, given that the college is concerned about lead fumes, they don't have a clue what they're talking about! (and nobody should be inhaling those!!!)

 

[Alfietinker]

Thanks, that's a good (if a little scary!) article.

As you say, the lead threw me because I always thought lead was dangerous for anybody and couldn't see that they would expose 'normal' students to them.

Still trying to get hold of the tutor, although I've requested they don't take my name off the list at the moment. I've got plenty of time. (I've been on the waiting list for ages and don't want to lose my place unnecessarily).

I'll keep you informed!

 

[Lippyp]

If its a course designed to cover car bodywork do they teach lead loading? If so that could be a problem, tbh is it really worth the risk, as someone thats lost a child during a botched delivery I can honestly say to me that no risk is worth it. Why not just postpone it until after the birth (although I understand how difficult that could be as the father now of bouncing nine month old twins)

 

[Alfietinker]

No it's not car body stuff, just an introduction to three types of welding. Definitely doesn't include lead loading.

I do take on board what you are saying, and in no way do I want to ever put the child in jepoardy, I wouldn't forgive myself. But on the other hand, I know I will not be able to afford the course once I give up work and I have been trying to get on a course for over a year. Let alone having the time or energy I suspect.

I need to weigh up, once I've got more info, how much is a real and definite danger, or how much is the college fobbing me off in case I sued. There is so much advice given to expectant mothers that it almost seems dangerous to go outside the front door sometimes, if you see what I'm getting at.

For instance, I changed the oil on my car and despite best efforts got filthy with gunk. Do I start panicking as there could be a small and remote chance something may have been absorbed by the skin before I cleaned myself up? Because, according to my baby book, there hasn't been any studies into chemicals like paint etc so I shouldn't go near them. That's the kind of thing I'm talking about in weighing up the real and known risks.

 

[daviddb]

Well, speaking from a position of absolutely zippo knowledge on this ( which has never stopped me pontificating yet) I'd suggest that if there is the slightest theoretical risk the college H&S ethos is pretty much bound to flag it up and err on the side of caution. But lets face it, over the next few months there are a squillion and one things that might bite yer bum and if doing the course is going to make you feel good and fulfilled and animated over the next few months that's a much bigger plus to you and yours than most any possible downsides. Go for it!

But then, hey, what do I know!

 

[malcolm]

vwjaz was welding her bus up until she was 9 months pregnant. She's not been around the forum recently, but it would be worth sending her a private message. I think you would get on.

Fumes in a welding course (assuming you are welding mild steel only and nothing fancy like aluminium) would be iron (from steel vapours) and argon (from the shielding gas).

My ill informed thoughts for what they are worth: Iron is bad for your lungs and lung disease is common in welders as a result. Whether it's a problem if it seeps through into the bloodstream I don't know. Blood is full of iron, but it's well contained in the red blood cells rather than a random extra.

Argon - no idea what that would do to you, though it's an inert gas so it doesn't tend to react with much. It's a bad replacement for oxygen (welders in pits sometimes suffocate) but that problem wouldn't exist if you aren't in a pit and have extraction too.

Steel coatings are likely to be the worst. Anything that looks more silver than steel should be would likely be zinc. I'd be inclined to avoid that. Oil coatings could be nasty too - there's a load of rubbish in oil. I'd avoid stainless too - that's got a load of nasties in it, but mostly it's annoying to weld.

Can't see much of an issue welding plain mild steel though. And I'm with David. Whenever I sit at home doing nothing I get bored and snack on junk food. Now that is bad for you!

Oh yeah - disclaimer - I'm not knowledgeable about the effects of welding on babies so could have missed something important. It's not a commonly discussed topic, but those that do need to discuss it are the coolest in my book.

 

[Hitch]

Again, i dont know much about this- but as long as your not welding anything like aluminium, zintec galv, manganese steels, and some kind of extraction is being used, it shouldnt be an issue.

No doubt, your doc will have minimal knowledge about the fumes etc produced, perhaps get a coshh leaflet regarding welding fumes from the college, (or probably download from the HSE website?) to take when you visit your doc next.

Im guessing your doing MIG, Gas & Arc welding?
Seperate sheets for each.

Not sure if colleges make you wear a leather apron when welding, but it could be good to offer a little extra protection from heat extremes etc. They should have them available either way.

From a manual handling point of view, you shouldn't be reaching of doing any heavy lifting, unless thats part of the course, although unlikely for such a short course.

Just take it easy, and good luck with it all, is it a first baby?? Seems like only yesterday the Mrs was pregnant with our 2 yearold!


Now for an opinion from the wife....;

She says that everything you breath, your baby will also be breathing. Obviously your baby doesn't have a choice, so it's up to you. If you would be happy having your newborn in that situation then it's the same thing. Just use as much protection as you can.

 

[weldequip]

The real trick is trying to get pregnant whilst welding Sorry, couldn't resist You can buy disposable fume masks for welding fumes that are not expensive & I really can't see any problems if you wear some kind of fume protection. There was probably (before the ban) an equal risk from cigarette smoke when popping down the pub for a couple.
Good luck with the nipper aswell by the way
weldequip

 

[Welderpaul]

The real trick is trying to get pregnant whilst welding Sorry, couldn't resist

That's one positional coding i need!

 

[weldequip]

Dressed up in all that leather gear Paul with your 'mask' on
weldequip

 

[shenion]

I would not worry about MIG, nothing really toxic in mild steel. The argon is inert. CO2 breaks down in carbon monoxide, not good for a lot of exposure. There is also ozone. Main things are irritants.

Some of the specialty arc rods have some metals that you would not want a lot of exposure to. You would be using general-purpose rods, should be no big deal.

Risk should be low. They would likely have a fume extractor anyway.

I agree a mask would be prudent. Showing up in a full hazmat suit and closed air supply would be overkill I bet weldequip has a mask (probably activated carbon filter) that would be a reasonable and not cost a fortune.

Oh, and congrats on the babino.

 

[zoezant]

welding whilst pregnant

Alfietinker, congrats on your news.......but,

I dont wish to pour rain on your parade, and the boys have given alot of advice from the welding point of view. Heres some from the other way round.
When you ask the Doc for a note to say its ok to do the course, what you're actually doing is asking him/her to take over the responsibility from the college that it is safe for you to undergo the course in your "condition". Most docs will know little facts about the risk from fumes etc mentioned inthe other posts. They may google for advice as I'm sure you have and will find little evidence either way, although other problems can arise (google Suzanne Benning). The H&S rules say that risk to pregnancy should be minimised, and so for the college that's easy: Either someone else says its safe, or you dont do the course. Your doctor is insured against mistakes, and pays alot to be so. (Dont forget, its not just you that could sue if there was a problem. Your child could too, when old enough, and even if your doc is long retired, the responsibility stays with him/her for many,many yrs) All UK medical defence companies give members advice, and your doctor would be wise to ask them. I feel sure that they will recommend turning your letter down, but I'll ring mine tomorrow and see.
Lasty, your baby is undergoing the greatest changes in the shortest time. anything that can endanger that, is a risk. How would you feel if (Godforbid) there was a problem, and how many times would you ask the question of was it the welding.
Much as we all enjoy welding, I certainly would stop yesterday if I thought it might harm my children, and as a result, I personally would say no to your letter request if you asked me.
Sorry to go on so.

 

[aametalmaster]

Congrats on the little one. I never worked with a pregnant welder but i have worked with a bunch of guys who looked like they were going to drop at anytime me included...Bob

 

[Ratty]

Hi Alfietinker - congratulations!
I don't have children but here's another female perspective for you - for what it's worth. Whilst I think zoezant has some good points, I'm with daviddb on this.
There is such a thing as being over cautious, lots of things can go wrong in pregnancy and lots of unexpected things can happen to you whilst pregnant that may or may not affect your baby. If you want to be really safe, wrap yourself in cotton-wool and stay in bed. If you want to feel happy and fulfilled - which imho is far more beneficial to your baby then feeling frustrated and restricted and maybe even a tiny bit resentful - then go for it. There has been some good advice given about taking precautions, if you're sensible and aware then I don't see why there should be a problem. Your child will not thank you in the future if they feel their unexpected arrival caused you to put your life on hold.
Very best of luck with all of it - be positive and happy and follow your dreams and you will both benefit.

 

[Alfietinker]

OK, thanks for all your comments - they've given me a lot to think about.

After receiving a leaflet about lead poisoning from H&S, I have finally spoken to the course tutor! It seems there's been a bit of confusion and it's not lead that is the issue at all, so crossed wires there.

He is concerned about electromagnetic fields from the arc and mig sides, because he is unsure of the effects on the unborn child. As well as the fumes, although he is happy to supply a mask in addition to the extraction facilities they have.

He is happy to have a doctor's certificate, although I think he may be right in wondering if any doctor would give the OK or not, for reasons given by zoezant. (But you never know, I have to get a certificate to fly 1/2 way through the course, and there's no reason (yet) why he wouldn't do that).

So, now I need to find out as much as I can about electromagnetic thingamy wotsits! Google so far has not produced plain English so the could be a bit of a mission.

 

[Drains]

Alfie, the general opinion around my house (that is, what the missus says), is that concern about electromagnetic fields is rubbish. (mind you, she did abseil off the side of a church at 5 months pregnant, and was still cycling until the day before she went into labour)

I bet theres as much danger from standing by an electric cooker. (which, if your pies blow up, could be substantial!)

I really think people spouting fear about any old thing they can think of, is, to say the least, tiresome, and VERY unhelpful.