Welding Fume Claims — Occupational Lung Disease Compensation
Last reviewed: June 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
Welding fume is a Group 1 carcinogen associated with lung cancer, COPD and other serious respiratory conditions. If you developed a lung disease from workplace welding fume exposure, EA Personal Injury Solicitors can help you claim compensation on a no win, no fee basis.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
Key Points
- Welding fumes were reclassified as a Group 1 definite carcinogen by the IARC in 2017
- Both welders and bystander workers can develop welding fume diseases
- Lung cancer, COPD and occupational asthma can all be caused by welding fume
- Three-year limitation period from date of knowledge of work-related cause
- No win, no fee — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation
The Health Risks of Welding Fume
Welding fume is generated by the condensation of vaporised metal and flux materials as they cool in air. The exact composition depends on the welding process and the base metal being welded. Common components include iron oxide, manganese oxide, chromium compounds (in stainless steel welding), nickel compounds, zinc oxide (in galvanised steel welding) and various silicates and fluorides.
Fine particles in the fume — PM2.5 and smaller — penetrate deep into the lung, where they can cause direct tissue damage, inflammation and, with prolonged exposure, permanent disease. In 2017, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reclassified all welding fumes (not just those from stainless steel) as Group 1 — definite human carcinogens — based on evidence for lung cancer and limited evidence for kidney cancer.
Welding Fume-Related Conditions
- Lung cancer — the most serious consequence of prolonged welding fume inhalation
- Occupational asthma — particularly in stainless steel welding (chrome and nickel sensitisation) and in workers exposed to isocyanates used in some coatings
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — irreversible airflow limitation from chronic fume exposure
- Siderosis — benign accumulation of iron deposits in the lung from iron-oxide fume; can impair lung function
- Metal fume fever — a temporary flu-like reaction to fresh zinc oxide fume (galvanised steel), typically resolving within 24-48 hours but potentially causing long-term sensitisation
- Manganism — neurological disorder (Parkinson's-like symptoms) from chronic manganese exposure in certain welding processes
Employer Duties for Welding Fume Control
The HSE published EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits and guidance on welding fume control spanning several decades. Since 2019, following the IARC reclassification, the HSE has imposed stringent requirements: local exhaust ventilation (LEV) must be used for all welding indoors and, where LEV alone is insufficient, suitable respiratory protective equipment must also be worn. Adequate ventilation outdoors must also be maintained.
Prior to 2019, employers had obligations under COSHH and general health and safety law to adequately control welding fume. The adequacy of their measures is assessed against what was reasonably practicable at the relevant time.
No Win, No Fee Welding Fume Claims
We act under a Conditional Fee Agreement. If the claim fails, you pay nothing. If the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation.