Welding is a dangerous profession when welding precautions are ignored. When welders throw caution to the wind, they’re exposed to hazards like toxic fumes, electric shock, arc eye, and fire and explosions.
Welding accidents can be avoided by following welding safety guidelines. Read these welding safety tips if you want to have a longer and safer career in the welding industry.
Why Are Welding Safety Guidelines Important?
Safety should be a welder’s top priority. When a welder doesn’t have their personal protective equipment (PPE) and doesn’t follow safety precautions, they risk their lives and their coworkers’ safety. Welding safety is crucial whether you work for a billion-dollar manufacturer or a small-scale operation.
Employees need to be trained on welding machine safety rules and welding hazards before they start working. Equipment should also be inspected and maintained on a regular schedule to ensure effectiveness and safe operation. Follow manufacturer guidelines and use tools exactly how they’re intended to be used.
Understanding how to use equipment and address common welding hazards is a great way to promote safety in the workshop. With enough knowledge and resources, welders can effectively protect themselves and those around them.
Common Welding Injuries and Hazards
Identifying potential hazards reduces risk and creates a safe work environment. The most common injuries include:
Electric Shock
A sudden electrical discharge to the body can cause severe injury or even death. Electrocution occurs when two charged metal objects touch. Equipment with a high voltage has a higher current, increasing the chances of severe injury.
Toxic Fumes and Gases
Welding fumes contain harmful metals like beryllium, manganese, lead, and arsenic. Gases like carbon dioxide, argon, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen also present a threat. When welders are exposed to these, they can develop health problems like respiratory illness, impaired movement and speech, and cancer.
Fire and Explosion
Working around flammable materials increases the risk for fire and explosion in the environment. Welding arcs produce extreme heat that could cause a fire if you don’t clear the working area of dangerous materials. All it takes is slag or spatter coming in contact with a flammable object for an incident to occur.
Eye Injuries
Arc eye, or flash burn, is the most common eye injury in the welder profession. Arc eye occurs when the welder is exposed to the intense ultraviolet (UV) light produced by the welding torch. The cornea becomes inflamed and feels like a sunburn in the eye. With treatment, the cornea can repair itself in two days. Without treatment, arc eye can lead to infection and loss of vision.
