Pregnant Welders

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I have a student who has recently become pregnant.She has finished all of the basic arc welding processes and has recently started oxyfuel.After oxyfuel she is scheduled to start SMAW prepipe (structural multipass) and then pipe .Any concerns we should have?
Reply:No more than any other student:Keep yer head outta da fumesDon't catch on fireetcetc.My wife welded during the pregnancy of both our chillins- hmmm they are kinda whacko but that may just be the genes

Same concerns and we got our Dr's approval.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Perhaps you could have her wear 7000 series 3m respirator with the pink pancake filters while she is welding. Be sure and grind any paints or coating off the metal before welding on it to lessen the toxic fumes breathed in...Really its stuff we SHOULD ALL be doing to live long lives.I would say have her get a doctors ok before doing anything.'Mike
Reply:up here ( Quebec , Canada ) there's the C.S.S.T.    kinda public health and safety, inspection / insurance etc...and as soon as they know your pregnant, even 3 weeks , your out at full pay for the rest of pregnancy. and after you have like a year a 75% pay to take care of your baby...so Yes should be concern , very dangerous for the baby....
Reply:Your preggie student should wear fume masks for welding fumes. I really can't see any problems for as long as she wears some kind of fume protection.Midwest Metal ProductsMetal Wire Forming Fan Guards Delta-Larm
Reply:I think it would make sense to me to maybe have her run it by her family doctor. Anytime current travels through a wire there will be a magnetic field surrounding the wire. The higher the current, the stronger the field. Could this have an effect on a developing fetus? If I were the mother and could not get a definitive answer, then I wouldn't want to chance it. I think if one looks hard enough he will be able to find in welding literature the possible dangers of the magnetic fields associated with welding and not to wrap the leads around any part of the body. Is the girl concerned ? She needs to be comfortable with the decision, because if something did turn up wrong with the baby, there would always be that doubt in her mind that she did the right thing. I don't have a shingle to hang out, so I am not going to try to advise you on whether it is safe. But I am sure if her family doctor is a good one, he will know where to go for a good opinion. I think there are many things a woman may do, that they advise against, when she is pregnant.
Reply:Several Canadian studies have an undeterminate link to childhood leukemia from electromagnetic exposure.  I didn't read the whole study, but that may be where the CSST is making the determination, welding & pregnancy is not to be done together.Also a Canadian report with a California research quoted here:  http://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/2003/Feb/vol4...clinical-1.aspMarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:I wouldn't want her welding while pregnant. Not worth the potential risks to the baby.Not sure what the doc would say but, if it was me I would ask for a note from the doctor releasing her to weld. No note no welding. my .02
Reply:My wife calved 2 years ago and our dr. was big on her not getting anywhere neer me welding. Im with the guy that said make her get a pass.
Reply:Thank you everyone.  We have asked her to visit with her doctor on this. She has removed herself from the shop and is currently taking some courses that are required for her certificate in the computer lab(mag fields?).  I have not been able to find much dealing with pregnancy at OSHA or UOSH.
Reply:The legal climate being what it is, I would be careful with this one either way. If you shelf her just because she is pregnant I could see opening yourself to some kind of discrimination thing. As much as I hate to say it I would kick this decision up, to some one in the school who can look at the legal aspects of it.
Reply:Jim, I work for MSHA, and we work very close with NIOSH (National Institue of Occupational Safety and Health). If you give them a call, I am sure they will have some info for you. They do all the studies on everything.
Reply:I will check with NIOSH.  Our state risk assessment rep advised us to give all the MSDS's for the materials we use in the shop to her and her doctor for evaluation.  Our rep has experience with the Navy, OSHA and safety at Cerro.  She is also doing additional research for us.Thank you everyone.Jim
Reply:Hmmm lets see EMFs, Arsenic, Sulphur-Dioxide, Ultraviolet radiation, Metal Fume Fever (from welding on galvanizied and Cadmium-plated pieces) not to mention epoxy primers and metal born toxins (leads, aluminum, etc.) absolutely not unless you live in like Texas (right to work states).


Reply:Dang!  I jumped in here looking for pictures!


Reply:

Originally Posted by ol' Stick Guy

Hmmm lets see EMFs, Arsenic, Sulphur-Dioxide, Ultraviolet radiation, Metal Fume Fever (from welding on galvanizied and Cadmium-plated pieces) not to mention epoxy primers and metal born toxins (leads, aluminum, etc.) absolutely not unless you live in like Texas (right to work states).
Reply:How severe should the stress be during pregnancy to affect the baby? Lots of women are stressed out, depressed, emotional or simply just moody during pregnancy. But how severe is the stress to actually affect the baby?
Reply:Depends on the amount of stress & how long the lady is being stressed.For instance, a car accident (minor) is extremely stressful, but usually doesn't have a lasting effect on the fetus.  A high strung woman that is constantly "stressed out" due to job, significant other not paying attention to her, her own feelings of frustration, ongoing unrelieved anger or other stressful situations that don't stop, those may affect the fetus significantly.Basically if the stress is momentary, or limited in the time the stress is on the body, there is little effect on the fetus.  The longer that stress remains on the body, the more hormones are released into the bloodstream & the greater the chance of it affecting the fetus.  This could lead to any number of problems with the newborn, everything from a newborn developing physical disabilities, to just being "hyper" as they get older.  Or it could have no effect whatsoever.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:no lifting heavy metal stuffno breathing heavy metal stuff
Reply:What? Does she think there's gonna be some requirement to weld in the kitchen while she's getting me a beer and making me a sammich?? She's gonna get her bare feet burned doing that!Tell the little gal she needs to worry about the little things, like how much mayo to put on and if there's enough brewskis in the fridge for when the fellas come over after work to watch the game.We want to see something like this in the signature line:Lincoln Ranger 250Miller Auto-Darkening Elite HelmetLincoln 100Lincoln MigMiller Spectrum 375Craftsman 8 galllon gas powered compressorLongevity 200amp Tig Welder LT-200D
Reply:

Originally Posted by Stack of Dimes

What? Does she think there's gonna be some requirement to weld in the kitchen while she's getting me a beer and making me a sammich?? She's gonna get her bare feet burned doing that!Tell the little gal she needs to worry about the little things, like how much mayo to put on and if there's enough brewskis in the fridge for when the fellas come over after work to watch the game.
Reply:If not now, he may soon be !!!   

A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:Either that or he will be kilt dead by his girlfriend/wife/mother/grandmother, for a comment like that.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:

Originally Posted by MarkBall2

Either that or he will be kilt dead by his girlfriend/wife/mother/grandmother, for a comment like that.
Reply:Pregnent or not (and I'm not), y'all oughta be doin what you can to minimize exposre to welding fumes. They be nasty, Read all about it:  Welding fumes health hazardsRespirators, fume extraction . . . even a steel that can minimize weld fumesVery true mercurybds! both the fumes and the radiation is nasty (for mother and child)And oh, stack of dimes....talk to the hand, baby!




Reply:

Originally Posted by Stack of Dimes

What? Does she think there's gonna be some requirement to weld in the kitchen while she's getting me a beer and making me a sammich?? She's gonna get her bare feet burned doing that!Tell the little gal she needs to worry about the little things, like how much mayo to put on and if there's enough brewskis in the fridge for when the fellas come over after work to watch the game.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Jim Riley

I have a student who has recently become pregnant.She has finished all of the basic arc welding processes and has recently started oxyfuel.After oxyfuel she is scheduled to start SMAW prepipe (structural multipass) and then pipe .Any concerns we should have?
Reply:Dont let her weld while she is pregnant. Think of the poor kid inside. Tell her to come back in a year or more.
Reply:Oooops! i didn't notice either....

thanks for sticking with me Johnny!

(i guess i just coulden't resist replying to stack of dimes' post...

)Sparkey
Reply:Yeah it might have been over a year but I would imagine more  than a few folks might be interested in what the Mother did. If she did stay with the welding did everything turn out OK for mother and baby.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:I know this is an old thread. I remember when it started. Coincidently enough though, I know a female welder who just yesterday gave birth to a beautiful healthy little girl. She welded through her entire pregnancy right up until a few days of giving birth. She does tig in a booth and does not do any heavy lifting, but welding non the less. She did consult with her doctor and had all regular check ups and such. However do not take these words or her experiance and run with it. Consult your doctor.jrw159
Reply:I am consernd about this topic my self.  I am wanting to have a babby in the spring and do not know if I should quiet my job.  We do not have light duty.  I am a stanless steel welder.  I know that hexeum cromeum is a dangerous chemical in stainless steel.  It is safe in low doses for us but what about for a fetus.  If anyone can tell me wear to find more information on this I would apreciat it.  I have not been welding long and am consernd it will hurt my caree taking the time off.  Rachel
Reply:Try this;http://www.google.com/search?q=hexav...e7&rlz=1I7SUNASeveral OSHA links."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:The thing that is dangerous to the fetus are teratogens. Basically, A teratogen is anything that is labled (Known to the state of Calif. to cause birth defects). It causes a chromasomal problem typicaly 31-71 days gestation. My advice is tell her to come back in 9 months and learn to weld. Rott
Reply:

Originally Posted by Rottguinness

The thing that is dangerous to the fetus are teratogens. Basically, A teratogen is anything that is labled (Known to the state of Calif. to cause birth defects). It causes a chromasomal problem typicaly 31-71 days gestation. My advice is tell her to come back in 9 months and learn to weld. Rott
Reply:

Originally Posted by Rottguinness

The thing that is dangerous to the fetus...
Reply:I am currently in the same boat with a female that works for me.  New to welding but shows alot of potential, scored a 96 for her first time on the Lincoln Vertex, fresh air hood recomended by everyone?
Reply:Ask a doctor and see what they have to say on the subject matter.  


Reply:and to think I opened this looking for pictures....I kidMiller millermatic 251Miller aircrafter 330st, wp201961 Lincoln SA200Ellis 1600 bandsawLogan 820 latheSouth Bend 13"Bridgeport M Head
Reply:

Originally Posted by imc188222

and to think I opened this looking for pictures....I kid
Reply:I suspect there has already been too much time spent around a live wire and TOO much magnetism. "Ba, Dum, BUM""DOH"  just noticed OLD TREAD shoot.Last edited by dumb as a stump; 09-12-2012 at 01:27 PM.Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Stack of Dimes

What? Does she think there's gonna be some requirement to weld in the kitchen while she's getting me a beer and making me a sammich?? She's gonna get her bare feet burned doing that!Tell the little gal she needs to worry about the little things, like how much mayo to put on and if there's enough brewskis in the fridge for when the fellas come over after work to watch the game.
Reply:Interesting original post, but as someone a year ago pointed out, the baby would be 2 years old, so the baby is 3 years old.    In a couple of years, the kid will be holding a MIG gun.


Reply:Still no pics... I guess it's not that kind of site. too bad could be "different".Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:Just make sure she doesn't get zapped while weldiing.  Everyone knows thats how cojoined twins are fused together
Reply:Get doctor's approval first.  She might be hypersensitive to a certain thing.
Reply:You know this thread is from 2009 Right?Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:So the simease twins are three now.......How are they,it,him,her, doing?????
Reply:I taught my kids to weld in kindergarten.