The dissertation analyses the state of labour protection in the world and Ukraine in the welding industry, identifies harmful production factors and highlights the dominant ones. Much attention is paid to studying substances that affect workers when welding and cutting non-ferrous metals. Occupational diseases are described, as well as measures and means of protection of welders in the process of work from the influence of harmful and dangerous factors. The classification of the most widespread modern respirators in Ukraine for welders is carried out. The analysis of scientific studies on maintaining safety of welding works is also performed. Particular attention was paid to the build-up of welding aerosol and carbon monoxide emissions in different types of welding, the impact of CO on welders and means of protection against it. The hazards associated with carbon monoxide formation in the welding area is under research as well, especially in confined spaces and poorly ventilated areas. The issues of work safety of persons directly involved in welding processes and for people in the vicinity of the welder's workplace was analysed. The analysis of performance of welding works and the main means of protection is laid out. It is determined that the issue of study on working conditions in the workplace is insufficiently researched, so it is relevant. The issue of the impact of CO emissions on the welder's workplace is insufficiently studied, so there is a need for additional research to assess the spread of carbon monoxide in the working area of the welder and selection of necessary protection and ventilation systems. The main methods and means of measuring welding aerosol and carbon monoxide at the welder's workplaces are revealed, taking into account the type of electrode coating. As a result of the study of main welding works it has been established that the following groups of electrodes are most frequently used: basic cover type, rutile and rutile-cellulose type. The method of studying the distribution of carbon monoxide of welding aerosol in the working area of the welder in order to improve it, namely: the study of sources of carbon monoxide from different types of electrodes in the working area of the welder was conducted in conditions close to production. While applying the method of CO research the need for additional equipment and measuring devices was established in order to estimate build-up of the gas in spaces above the welding zone and determine its concentration due to its high volatility. Given the significant complexity of the determination of CO in the open by devices such as DOZOR, due to high volatility of the gas, it was proposed to supplement them with innovative novelty. An additional dome-shaped canopy (internal volume of one cubic meter) over the area of study was implemented as a proposition. The canopy housed the rod of the measuring instrument with the analyzer. This canopy allows to contain gas and concentrate it in a certain area. With no such canopy it would be almost impossible to determine the dynamics of carbon monoxide build-up in the welding zone. Mathematical models of carbon monoxide and welding aerosol content in the air of working areas depending on welding conditions (electric current, time, electrode type and distance to the source) are constructed. Computational models of the correlation between concentration of welding aerosol in the air and the electric current, time and distance to the source for electrodes with different types of coating during ventilation and ventilation that do not work are also listed within the study. The main causes of protection system failures are analysed, a tree of failures and a calculated formula for the probability of system failure are compiled. Demonstrated the effectiveness of risk management by optimizing the choice of the most important elements and conditions of their operation. In order to improve the standard means of assessing carbon monoxide in the workplace, a new modification of the modern welder's mask developed and created by the author is considered, which provides adequate and effective protection of the human face from electric arc indoors. The «Zvaryvalnik» program is developed to simulate influence of most common threats: welding aerosol; carbon monoxide, noise; air temperature; electromagnetic radiation; ultraviolet radiation; infrared radiation into the worker during the process and the means of their optimization to consolidate knowledge and experiance on industrial safety and personal health. Keywords: electric arc welding, welding production, carbon monoxide, welding spray, electrodes, risk, failure tree, labour safety.
