Advise for Galvanized Steel

[CENTURION]

Originally Posted by yash101

Let's just end this argument about whether zinc fumes are dangerous. Let's just say, zinc oxide can be dangerous, but isn't always, so just make sure to have proper ventilation. Just a fan blowing outside the building from where you are working should probably suffice, I guess!

It's never bad to be overcautious, especially when you can be harmed severely, or maybe even killed. That's why we give safety tests to students before they can use tools!

(Emphasis mine)

Please, if you don't actually know what you're talking about, don't offer safety advice on the subject.

I'm a professional machinist, so I handle safety concerns regarding our machine shop. I'm not a professional electrician or electrical engineer, so it's not a very good idea for me to give out safety advice about electricity besides "Don't touch it". Misinformation can cause accidents.

For this same reason, people will give out the advice; "Don't weld galvinized steel". Even though, as others have pointed out; it can be done. But it can only be done if you really, really know what you're doing. But "Don't do it" is a pretty good rule if you don't know exactly how to do it.

A fan blowing air out of the room to the outside is pretty much the bare minimum for ventilation. It might cut it if you want to get rid of some paint fumes, but when you're dealing with fumes that are actually dangerous, it's not going to be good enough.