Welding, Cutting, and Brazing Accidents make up a large bulk of the claims filed by those injured in construction accidents. Over 500,000 workers are injured annually. This category of work is inherently dangerous. Workers face the risk of blindness, burns, and even death. The risks are extremely high. It has been estimated that the risk of death from a welding, cutting, or brazing accident is four for every thousand workers over the course of a workers lifetime.
Welding, Cutting, and Brazing workers are protected by various laws and regulations. Employers must ensure that their workers have available the appropriate safety equipment for the job. In addition, under laws such as OSHA (See section entitled Construction Accident Laws), employers must proactively inspect the workplace and ensure that it is free of hazards. If they fail to do so, and an employee is injured, they may be liable for negligence.
The following are some hazards that welders face on the job site.
Exposure to Infrared Radiation – Infrared radiation occurs as a result of the electrical arc and flame cutting equipment used in the welding process. The effects of exposure to infrared radiation are a heating of the surface of the skin and its underlying tissues. In serious cases, thermal burning can result. Workers can prevent exposure to infrared radiation by using proper masks, goggles, and protective clothing.
Exposure to UV Radiation – Welding involves the emission of ultraviolet radiation in the form of an electric arc, which is a product of the heat that must be generated to melt and weld metal. If welders do not use the proper safety equipment, the ultraviolet radiation used in the welding process can cause severe burns to the skin and the lens of the eye. Some welders suffer from a condition called “Arc eye”, “Welders flash”, or “Corneal flash burn” which is a serious form of damage to the eye that occurs when welders fail to use a mask or use a defective one. The condition is characterized by inflammation of the cornea. Those who suffer from the disorder experience severe pain that many describe as having sand poured into the eyes. Other hazards from UV radiation include the aggravation of skin disorders which can be caused by industrial chemicals.
Intense Visible Light – The electrical arc produced in the welding process can give off a massive dose of light referred to as intense visible light. The eye in its normal state cannot tolerate this form of light. If a worker with improper eye protection looks at the arc, the eye initiates protective mechanisms such as adaptation, pupillary reflex, and shading to protect the retina. If the protective mechanism is not enough, long-term retinal damage can occur.
Welders disease – Welding rod fumes contain manganese, a colorless and odorless potentially fatal neurotoxin that can inhibit the brains ability to regulate physical motion. The manganese fumes are released when welding rods and electrodes, which are used as filler material in the welding process, are fused together. The welding rod fumes penetrate the blood stream and permeate into the tissues, eventually affecting the central nervous system. In as little as a few months, the deadly toxin can cause neurological symptoms that resemble Parkinson’s disease such as muscle rigidity, tremors, and slowed motion. The exposed person can spiral downward if treatment is not administered immediately.
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