Approximately 2.000.000 welders work in the EU, according to the European Welders Association. There is a high potential for exposure to hazardous substances associated with welding activities.

This guidance document was developed for National Labour Inspectors (NLI), with the aim of increasing inspectors’ confidence in addressing and regulating health risks from welding activities and exposure to welding fume, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of NLI interventions principally in manufacturing and other sectors such as construction. Workers’ health is just as important as their safety. The key ambition of the SLIC CHEMEX WG is to provide guidance which will support NLIs in tackling the risks to workers’ health associated with welding activities in Europe’s workplaces, as skilfully as they would tackle the safety risks.