Metal Fabrication & Welding Industrial Hygiene Testing
Worker exposure monitoring for fabrication shops, machine shops and foundries — welding fume, manganese, hexavalent chromium and grinding silica analyzed in-house at our Houston lab, with 1-day rush and same-day log-in.
Why Fabrication Shops Run Their Monitoring With Us
Accredited & Defensible
AIHA-LAP analysis that holds up with OSHA, legal counsel and insurers — the standard for welding-fume compliance.
Full Metals Panel
Manganese, chromium, nickel and 30+ elements by ICP-AES — plus hexavalent chromium by OSHA ID-215.
In-House, One Lab
Every analyte under one roof, one chain of custody, consistent methods across your whole program.
1-Day Rush
Same-day log-in before 2 PM CST and rush to 1 business day when a result is time-sensitive.
Exposure Monitoring for Welding, Grinding & Casting
Fabrication shops, machine shops and foundries concentrate metal-fume and dust exposures that OSHA watches closely — manganese and hexavalent chromium in welding fume, respirable crystalline silica from grinding and foundry sand, and lead from cutting coated or leaded metal. AGT Labs is the accredited industrial hygiene lab behind that monitoring, analyzing every sample in-house in Houston.
Welding is the core exposure driver in most shops — see our dedicated welding fume analysis and hexavalent chromium methods for the full detail.
- Welding fume and metals — manganese, chromium, nickel — by ICP-AES
- Hexavalent chromium by OSHA ID-215 for stainless and high-chrome alloys
- Respirable crystalline silica from grinding and foundry sand by XRD
- Lead by NIOSH 7300 / 7082 from cutting coated or leaded stock
- Total and respirable dust, noise and heat stress
- Standing-account programs with consistent reporting
The Exposures That Define Fabrication Work
Welding, grinding and casting generate a distinct metal-fume and dust mix. These are the exposures our shop monitoring is built around.
Welding Fume & Manganese
Every welding process releases metal fume — manganese is the primary neurological concern. Analyzed with the full metals panel by ICP-AES.
Hexavalent Chromium
Stainless and high-chrome alloy welding generates Cr(VI), a regulated carcinogen. Analyzed by OSHA ID-215.
Grinding & Foundry Silica
Grinding, cutting and foundry sand release respirable crystalline silica — analyzed by X-ray diffraction.
What We Analyze for Fabrication & Machine Shops
Every analyte below is run in-house under accreditation. Tap any card for the full method detail on our service pages.
Exposure Monitoring by Shop Process
The dominant hazard shifts with the process. We match the sampling plan to the work.
| Process | Dominant Activity | Priority Analytes | Lab Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welding (carbon) | MIG, TIG, stick, flux-core | Manganese, iron, metals | ICP-AES |
| Welding (stainless) | High-chrome alloys | Hexavalent chromium, nickel | OSHA ID-215 · ICP-AES |
| Grinding & cutting | Surface prep, abrasive wheels | Respirable silica, metals | XRD · ICP-AES |
| Foundry & casting | Molding, shakeout, pouring | Silica, metals, CO | XRD · ICP-AES |
| Coated / leaded stock | Cutting painted or leaded metal | Lead, metals | NIOSH 7300 / 7082 |
Fabrication Analytes & OSHA Exposure Limits
The regulated limits your monitoring program is measured against, and the method our lab runs for each.
| Hazard | OSHA PEL (8-hr TWA) | Lab Method | Sample Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese (welding fume) | 5 mg/m³ ceiling (ACGIH 0.02 resp.) | ICP-AES (NIOSH 7300) | MCE filter, personal |
| Hexavalent chromium | 5 µg/m³ | OSHA ID-215 | PVC filter, personal |
| Respirable crystalline silica | 50 µg/m³ | XRD (NIOSH 7500 / OSHA ID-142) | Cyclone + PVC filter |
| Lead | 50 µg/m³ (AL 30 µg/m³) | NIOSH 7300 / 7082 | MCE filter, personal |
| Nickel (insoluble) | 1 mg/m³ | ICP-AES | MCE filter, personal |
| Noise | 90 dBA (AL 85 dBA) | Dosimetry | Personal dosimeter |
Turnaround Times & Sample Kits
From kit request to final report — rush options and what ships to your shop.
Program & Kit Support
- Pre-labeled sampling media (MCE, PVC filters, cyclones)
- Calibrated pump loaner program for qualifying clients
- Chain of Custody form, pre-filled with your info
- Courier pickup across the Houston / Gulf Coast area
- Standing-account setup for recurring monitoring
- Results delivered via secure online portal
Who Relies on AGT for Fabrication IH
Steel & Structural Fabricators
Heavy welding and cutting shops needing manganese, hex chrome and metals monitoring.
Machine Shops
Grinding, machining and metalworking operations with metals, silica and mist exposures.
Foundries & Casting
Molding, pouring and shakeout with respirable silica and metal-fume programs.
OEM & Manufacturing
Production lines with welding, coating and machining exposure programs.
IH & Safety Consultants
Third-party consultants who need an accredited lab partner with fast, consistent turnaround.
Pipe & Vessel Shops
Pressure vessel, pipe spool and modular fabrication with high welding volume.
Metal Fabrication IH Testing — FAQ
What IH testing do metal fabrication shops need?
Do you test manganese in welding fume?
Do you monitor stainless welding for hexavalent chromium?
How fast is analysis and can you set up a standing account?
Do you test metalworking-fluid mist and other shop exposures?
Which analytes can you rush to 1 day?
Set Up Fabrication Monitoring or Request a Quote
AIHA-LAP accredited · welding fume · manganese · hexavalent chromium · grinding silica · lead · 1-day rush · standing-account pricing for recurring monitoring.