Safety Knights

When was the SDS revised that you're looking at? This is actually a major change (in my opinion) to the recent HazCom update. Under 1910.1200(d)(1), it now says the hazard classification shall include any hazards associated with the chemical's intrinsic properties including...chemical reaction products associated with known or reasonably anticipated uses or applications" (emphasis on the last part).

However, even when following the old HazCom standard (2012 revision), it's still accurate because the SDS is just meant to show what hazards are associated with the welding rod itself. The type(s) of metal fumes produced depends a lot on the type of metal being welded on, so that would "typically" not be included on the SDS. For example, it's like having an SDS for gasoline, but not listing carbon monoxide (CO) as a potential hazard since you're going to be using it in a combustion engine.

Any IH professional that does air sampling on this process is going to look at the SDS for your welding rods, wires, etc., as well as the type of metal(s) you're welding, coatings, etc., to determine what toxic chemicals you may be exposed to. Usually, SDSs will have a generic statement regarding this, often in Sections 2 and/or 10.

At the end of the day, you're not missing anything, but it's good that you're considering the byproducts of the use of your welding rods.

Welding fume has as much if not more to do with the metal type being welded, not just the rod. Technically the welding rod is an article, not a hazardous chemical & therefore the manufacturer is not required to provide an SDS. Manufacturers are notorious for covering their butts in an SDS & are as generic as possible. The metal manufacturer isn't going to provide an SDS nor would they likely include hazards associated with process of welding. The problem comes when the chemical form changes (from solid to gas/fume for this scenario). You are better off doing some google searching for hazards of the materials being welded (the metal & the rod material) to see what fume is created & the hazards associated with that fume. For instance, stainless steel generates hexavalent chromium fume, galvanized generates zinc oxides, & in the wrong conditions, phosgene gas can be generated if certain solvents are on the metal.