This guide presents an overall sampling strategy for the following purposes:

(1) Determining the contaminants that might be present in significant quantities in a given welding environment.

(2) Deciding which of these contaminants should be sampled and analyzed.

(3) Selecting a strategy for collecting samples that will provide valid, accurate measurements of workers’ exposure to various contaminants.

(4) Guidance on protection of persons from injury and illness during welding operations can be found in ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, as well as AWS Safety and Health documents that specifically address the actual sampling and analysis of welding fumes and gases.