HSE EIS44 Pneumonia Vaccination for Employees Exposed to Welding and Metal Fume

LEVCentral Expert Commentary

Most LEV guidance focuses on preventing workers from inhaling hazardous airborne contaminants. HSE Engineering Information Sheet EIS44 takes a slightly different approach by considering the additional role that pneumococcal vaccination may play for employees who are regularly exposed to welding or metal fume.

Research has shown that welders and others exposed to metal fume have an increased risk of developing pneumococcal lobar pneumonia. In response, HSE, together with industry bodies and occupational health specialists, produced this guidance to help employers decide whether they should offer the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) to employees who are frequently or continuously exposed to welding or metal fumes.

Importantly, HSE makes it clear that vaccination is not a substitute for controlling exposure. The first priority remains compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations by preventing or adequately controlling exposure through engineering measures such as effective Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV), supported by good working practices and suitable respiratory protective equipment where necessary. Vaccination should only be considered as an additional protective measure after appropriate exposure controls have been implemented.

For LEV professionals, this guidance reinforces an important principle: even where engineering controls significantly reduce exposure, some occupational health risks may remain. Managing those residual risks may require a combination of engineering controls, occupational health surveillance and preventative healthcare.

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Key Learning Points

Welders and workers regularly exposed to metal fume have an increased risk of pneumococcal pneumonia.
Employers should first ensure that exposure is prevented or adequately controlled in accordance with COSHH.
Effective Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) remains one of the primary engineering controls for welding fume.
Pneumococcal vaccination (PPV23) may be appropriate for employees who have frequent or continuous occupational exposure to welding or metal fume.
The decision to offer vaccination should take account of:
- The effectiveness of existing exposure controls.
- The level and duration of exposure.
- Individual risk factors such as age, smoking history and underlying health conditions.
Vaccination is not a regulatory requirement and does not replace the need for effective engineering controls.
Smoking cessation should also be encouraged, as smoking further increases the risk of pneumonia.

Source Document Information

Organisation: Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Document: EIS44 – Pneumonia Vaccination for Employees Exposed to Welding and Metal Fume

Series: Engineering Information Sheet

Document Type: HSE Guidance

Primary Topics: Welding Fume, Metal Fume, Pneumonia, Occupational Health, Vaccination, LEV, COSHH

Audience: Employers, Welders, Fabrication Companies, LEV Designers, Occupational Hygienists, Health & Safety Professionals and Occupational Health Providers.

Further Resources

Recommended Learning

Thought Leadership

EIS44 illustrates how occupational health protection extends beyond engineering controls alone. Effective LEV dramatically reduces exposure to hazardous welding fume and remains the primary means of complying with COSHH. However, where evidence shows that workers continue to face an elevated health risk despite good exposure control, additional measures such as vaccination may provide further protection.

For LEV professionals, this guidance reinforces a broader principle: engineering controls form the foundation of exposure prevention, but the best occupational health outcomes are often achieved when ventilation, risk assessment, health surveillance, worker education and occupational health programmes work together.

Rather than viewing these measures in isolation, duty holders should adopt a layered approach that protects workers throughout their employment while maintaining the highest standards of engineering control.