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Safety of welding galvanized pipe

I mig weld Galvanized pipe & galvanized plated parts I would like to know all the safety hazards to doing this other than the basics I've been welding about 20 years and becoming more concerned with the health factors now if anyone can give me some facts I would be very grateful.

Terry L. Haas
WELDER of lock rods for semi. trucks - Lagrange, Ohio, United States of America
2004

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When I am welding on galvanized steel at work there are horrible fumes and lots of smoke. Is this bad for me? Can it hurt me if I breathe it in? Is it harmful to my skin to be handling it? Does the zinc hurt me? Is there different types of galvanized steel? Is some worse than others, and which ones?

Matt Blankenship
welder - Wooster, Ohio
2004

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Hey Guys, Both of you should have access to MSDS on galvanized metal. I have co-workers that have been hospitalized for metal poisoning, very uncomfortable. Big tip, is VENTILATION! As in a big fan behind you blowing it away, and the old tale of drinking milk beforehand really does help..Some serious stuff guys, get proper advise from safety professionals! Gary Fesenmeyer Pipefitter - Bonner Springs, Kansas 2004 "Welding Zinc Coated Steels" on AbeBooks or eBay or Amazon (affil links) Search the site for answers to this question.. its been covered numerous times. Marc Green anodizer - Boise, Idaho 2004

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When mig welding galvanized it is important to wear the proper respiratory equipment. I personally use a half mask connected to 2 hoses that go from under my hood, over my shoulders so the carbon filters rest behind my back, away from the majority of fumes. These need only be changed once a week. Drinking milk during the long day of burning wire can help. The milk will help absorb the excess zinc that you may happen to breath in. Breathing in too much of the zinc oxide fumes, as many of you know is very unpleasant. You'll have a headache, stomach pains, cold sweats... The best way to ventilate is with a vac line in the area of your welding (exhaust fans). Any type of air moving fan may interfere with your weld (blowing away your shielding gas). Burning the zinc oxide is only avoided by grinding it away before the welding takes place, but this is not cost effective due to the time it takes. It is much faster to burn it off with high voltage settings, and slower rate of travel.

Have fun. -

Wretched Wrenfield
- SK, CANADA
2004

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You can buy masks from 3M company. They look like the white masks that people use everyday but they are 3/8ths inch thick and will catch all fumes particles from smoke including galvanized. I have used them and they are disposable and they fit under hood and cost about 5 bucks apiece but you will probably have to find them online and order =>
Get a hold of 3M they are fantastic. You do not need an expensive mask to weld most metals.

Jim sweeney
- Newark Ohio
March 19, 2010