IIW History 1948-1958

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the Danish, Dutch and German delegations, existing standards were success– fully collated. From them was drawn a recommendation on the density of protective glasses which was subsequently transmitted for standardisation to the appropriate authorities (ISO/TC 44). The Commission has been concerned with the safety not only of welding operators, but also with that of their assis– tants and other persons who may be working in welding shops. This work continued over several sessions. When the Commission met at Goteborg in 1952, it began to study also the protective measures to be prescribed when X-rays and radio-active isotopes are used for the non-destructive inspec– tion of welds . Medical reports of considerable scientific value, in particular that by Dr BENNER and Dr HELDE, enabled the Commission to prepare useful recommendations at an opportune moment. A progressive extension in the use of X or gamma-rays was then t aking place and operators had to be informed of the precautions to be t aken when handling radio-active material. At Copenhagen in 1953, a new and important question appeared on the agen– da of Commission VIII - the risks which might be incurred in arc welding in inert atmospheres. Very intense radiation is, in fact, given off which may be so penetrating as to necessitate increased protection for the eyes, the face, the hands and the body of the operator. In addition, research work has been carried out on the problem of evacuating the ozone formed around the electric arc; the airstream which should be provided to get rid of the ozone must be sufficient, but not so violent as to affect the weld– ing operation. Apart from the problems raised by the welding processes themselves, Com– mission VIII has dealt with precautions to be taken in the use of equipment. For instance, it had before it in 1952 a report on the risk of electrocution. This document led it to ask Commission II (Arc Welding) t o consider the possibilities of the so called« no load » devices and to undertake an enquiry on the safety regulations affecting arc welding equipment in operation in the different coun– tries. In the meantime, the Commission had considered and approved other reports dealing with, for example, the repair by welding of vessels, drums and barrels in which inflammable products had been contained, the protection of operators against burns, etc. Considerable results ·having already been obt ained in the Commission's work as a whole, it was decided to consider the preparation of a Handbook on health and safety which would have an international character. To this end, all delegations brought to the Florence and Zurich meetings in 1954 and 1955 a considerable number of documents on which was based a draft for a Handbook which was first examined at Madrid in 1956 and again at Essen in 1957· A Sub– Commission, whose Chairman is Dr GRANJON (France), has been in charge of the preparation of this H andbook. Thanks to the important contributions made to it by all countries, much valuable information will be assembled in this \York which, by helping to elimi– nate risk, should serve to promote the application of welding and allied processes.

3. FUTURE PROGRAMME.

Apart from this very complex work, the Commission has been considering documents dealing, among other things, "·ith ne"· kinds of paint which absorb injurious radiations and \Yhich are intended f ... r use in covering not only the walls of welding shops, but also the panels and curtains separating various operators working on the same job.