MOST COMMON WELDING INJURIES
Electric Shock: One of the most common welding accidents welders face. It is typically caused when two metal parts that have a voltage touch, or by secondary voltage shock where a welder touches a part of the welding or electrical circuit while the body touches a part of the metal that is being welded.
Hearing loss: Exposure to excessive noise – above 85 decibels on average throughout a workday – without proper ear protection can result in permanent hearing loss.
Respiratory Illness: Exposure to toxic metal welding fumes and gases, including harmful metal oxide compounds, base metals, base coatings, beryllium, and manganese, toxins may accumulate in the lungs and lead to a range of adverse effects and long-term conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis.
Chemical, Electrical & Contact Burns: The high heat of a welding arc and the hazardous fumes, gases, and chemicals welders work with causes them to face serious risk of being injured in a fire or explosion. Welders are exposed to extremely hot materials.
Optical hazards: Eye injuries account for around a quarter of all welding injuries and can be serious permanent injuries that result from welding sparks, chemical vapors, and “arc eye,” ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the welding electrical arc. “Welder’s flash”, a burn to the eyes, accounts for a great deal of construction eye injuries. Arc radiation can penetrate the retina and cause permanent retinal damage, including cataracts, diminished vision, and higher sensitivity to light.
