Agricultural science teachers and the concern for arc welding shop ventilation safety

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Agricultural science teachers spend a lot of time exposed to welding fumes while supervising students' are welding fabrication time. There are already some schools with updated ventilation systems yet a majority of schools did not have adequate ventilation systems. A survey was conducted to assess the type of ventilation agricultural science teachers in Missouri have been exposed to and to assess the health of that teacher in relation to the ventilation system being used while supervising arc welding practices by their students. The desired outcome of this study is to create air quality awareness as it is pertinent to the health and well-being of the agricultural science teacher. If the school is equipped with inadequate ventilation in the metal technology shop then the district should consider making updates and renovations to the metal technology laboratory ventilation. A survey instrument was developed and used to assess their age, what type of ventilation system the teachers were using in their arc welding shop, what symptoms they exhibited at a result of the arc welding fumes, and what time of year they exhibited the symptoms. A review of the findings revealed that mid-Missouri agricultural science teachers were not severely affected by arc welding fumes in their shop while supervising student's arc welding practices.