HEALTH EFFECTS OF WELDING FUMES AND ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION, USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) AMONG PRODUCTION WELDERS
This paper determined the knowledge of welders on health effect of welding fumes and use of PPE during welding processes and their successful control strategies. This cross-sectional study was carried out among self-employed electric-arc welders, their journeymen, and apprentices with at least three months working experience in Akoko South-West, Akoko South-East, and Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State. The study adopted a survey research design. The study used structured questionnaire as an Instrument for data collection to elicit the opinions from the respondents. The instrument was validated. The responses to the items were based on a four-point scale, with numerical value of 4, 3, 2, and 1. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data collected from the study for answering the research question. The population of this study comprised all 200 Welders, journeymen, and apprentices of more than three months experience. There was no sampling; an entire population of 200 was used. The findings of the study showed that the respondents agreed that use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among production welders is imperative for good health. Based on findings and discussion, conclusions were drawn and recommendations made, among was that the use of face-mask, nose mask, and other personal protective equipment in the workshop should be made compulsory.
Key Words: Electric-Arc Welding, Welding Fumes, Ultraviolet Radiation, Health, Strategies
