Sampling Method for Welding Fumes and Toxic Gases in Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

In 2009 there were 28,840 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia which represented 94.2 % of the total establishments in the manufacturing sector. Job tasks in manufacturing sectors above all involve welding processes. The issues in SMEs mainly resolve around poor working conditions contributing to worker’s safety and health problem. Welding fumes and toxic gas assessment in SMEs welding workplace is essential in order to ensure the minimum level of exposure is maintained as required by the prevailing standards. This paper outlines the methodology for fumes and toxic gas sampling by taking into account analytical method currently available for analysis in the government accredited laboratory. The proposed methods are divided into two; the pilot test and the actual measurement. Standardize sampling method using sampling pump along with direct reading measurement are consider in both the pilot test and actual measurement. The proposed sampling method hopefully will benefit researcher, stakeholders or SMEs by giving guidance on the suitable method for welding workplace assessment.