Soldering

Soldering Safety

With proper soldering safety soldering by students in class is unlikely to pose any significant risk to health and safety as long as the work area is well ventilated, students are under strict supervision and safe work and good hygiene practices are implemented.

Hazards & Risks of Soldering

1. Inhalation of fumes: from heating the solder and flux. The type of flux present determines the composition of the fume. The flux evaporates and condenses into fine particles forming the smoke fume. The fumes can cause irritation to the skin and eyes and respiratory tract and can possibly lead to issues such as asthma. People who frequently solder in poorly ventilated areas are most at risk.

2. Ingestion of lead (This will not be a risk at the OCSB since lead solder is not permitted): from contaminated surfaces and hands. Lead is considered a toxic substance.

3. Burns and fire: from the hot soldering iron, molten metal splashes and other hot materials.

4. Rosin or colophony dermatitis: Allergic contact dermatitis from solder containing rosin flux. This could occur soon after contact or even a few days later to people with an allergy to rosin.

Controls and Safety Precautions

1. Suitable ventilation:

   • Conduct work in a well-ventilated area or by using mechanical extractor systems (the latter is best particularly if there are several students soldering in the same room at any one time). PLEASE NOTE: at St. Mother Teresa HS we will always use a bench top fume extractor to remove harmful fumes caused by solder and flux from the soldering workstation by filtering the air.

   • Consider the use of a small fan that blows across the work area.

   • Instruct students to avoid inhalation of soldering fumes by keeping their head away from above the soldering area.

2. Good hygiene:

   • Keep all work areas clean. Wipe down benches with a damp paper towel after the completion of soldering activities to minimise the presence of any contaminants.

   • Instruct students to avoid touching their face or eyes.

   • Wash hands and forearms with soap and water after working with solder, including scrubbing fingernails, as this has been identified as an area that can harbour dirt and possibly contaminants. If people bite their nails this can be a significant source for ingestion.

   • Don’t eat, drink, prepare or store food or food utensils in soldering areas.

   • Limit exposure: Remove asthmatics from the area, as exposure to the fumes may aggravate their condition.

   • Note: Students are not likely to be soldering all day every day, but only intermittently when lessons are scheduled.

3. PPE:

   • Wear cotton long sleeve shirts, closed in shoes and safety glasses to protect from molten metal splashes and other hot materials.

   • Tie back long hair.

   • In the event of a known allergy to rosin, avoid contact with rosin by wearing close fitting gloves (E.g. cotton gloves, NOT nitrile, PVC or other materials that would cause an additional hazard by melting if in contact with heat from the soldering iron) and observe hygiene measures above.

4. Burns/fire:

   • Work on a non-flammable surface.

   • Do not touch the tip of the hot soldering iron, hot solder or other hot components

   • Use a clamp or a 3rd hand to assist holding wires or other components in place

   • Return the soldering iron to its stand when not in use and never put it down on the workbench.

   • Never leave the iron unattended when on.

   • Never flick the soldering iron to remove excess solder.

   • Know where the fire extinguisher is and how to use it.

5. Electrical:

   • Check the electrical safety of the soldering iron to ensure that it has been tested and tagged and that no damage, such as a melted cord, has occurred since the test.

6. First Aid:

   • Immediately cool the affected area under cold water for 15 minutes.

   • Do not apply any creams or ointments.

   • Cover with a band-aid. Seek medical attention if the burn covers an area bigger than 3 inches across.

7. Waste disposal:

   • Collect solder waste, such as solder dross, solder drips, sticks, ingot etc. in a labelled container with a lid for disposal as hazardous waste. Note: Some companies recycle this waste.

   • Place paper towels and used solder sponges in a sealable plastic bag for disposal as hazardous waste.

8. Alternatives: Consider the use of rosin free solder if suitable to the task. Note: The same controls and safety precautions apply to rosin free solder