Welding is a construction activity that exposes hundreds of thousands of construction employees to major health and safety concerns.
Statistics suggest that over the course of a construction worker’s career, more than one in every 250 will be killed while welding. Because of the hazards and dangers inherent in welding, rules demand that specific safety precautions be followed. These safety precautions are intended to minimize the risks associated with welding.
Welding can be hazardous in a number of ways. There are injuries that can be felt instantly, such as burns, but there are also ailments that take time to develop. The following are some of the risks associated with welding:
Protective eyewear and clothes are typically used to guard against these types of injuries. Most welders avoid UV and IR exposure by wearing a welder’s helmet or goggles.
Employers are expected to assess all workplace dangers and address them accordingly. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requires a safe workplace and the removal of any dangers. When it comes to welding, your employer must decide the risks and whether protective equipment is required.
The most common accident that occurs to welders is flash burn, commonly known as welder’s flash. A flash burn injury occurs when the UV and infrared light radiation from a welding arc burns the retina.
UV damage gives the eye a sunburn, and it takes a few hours to notice. Infrared damage, on the other hand, feels like a blistering burn right away. Cataracts are eventually caused by infrared radiation.
Radiation exposure will cost you time and money in both medical care and wasted time in either instance. Severe damage may result in irreversible visual loss.
Exposure to ultraviolet light causes the flash burn. The most common cause of this damage is welding without sufficient eye protection, but it can also develop from exposure to sunshine or the glare of the sun off snow or water.
This type of exposure can harm the cornea, which is the transparent tissue covering the front of the eyeball. Corneal flash burn, commonly known as welder’s burn or photokeratitis, is excruciatingly painful.
Flash burn symptoms may include:
The severity of the ocular injury determines the treatment for a flash burn. Because the eyes are delicate and must be handled cautiously, it is critical to seek medical attention for flash burns before attempting home remedies or treatments.
However, removing contact lenses and using sunglasses can provide immediate relief before seeking medical attention. A skilled eye doctor can examine whether and to what degree the cornea has been injured and then propose a treatment strategy.
Flash burn treatment may include:
Flash burn may disappear on its own within a few days in very mild cases. Moderate to severe instances may take longer to heal and may necessitate medical intervention to control pain, avoid infection, and reduce inflammation. If you suspect a flash burn, the best course of action is to get medical attention from a skilled practitioner.
While each instance is unique, flash burns are usually painful and accompanied by blurred vision, light sensitivity, and the sensation that something is in the eye. Eyes may also become excessively moist.
Flash burn symptoms can appear between 3 and 12 hours after exposure to ultraviolet light. The majority of the time, both eyes are afflicted.
Wearing good eye protection might help you avoid flash burns. Sunglasses with UV-A and UV-B protection may be sufficient to prevent flash burns caused by sunlight or sun glare. A welder’s mask or welder’s helmet is the best solution for preventing flash burns caused by welding.
In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established requirements for welding work; employers are responsible for ensuring that welders have sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE).
Hearing loss is a little-known but equally devastating injury common among welders. Flying debris can damage the ear canal’s delicate components. Welders are also subjected to 85 decibels of noise nonstop during the workday, which is nearly the same as an idle bulldozer.
Long durations of persistent high-decibel exposure can gravely damage the eardrums and result in permanent hearing loss later in life.
Managers should supply earplugs or earmuffs to welders and install sound barriers to protect their hearing. Welders should also take appropriate pauses to avoid being exposed to prolonged periods of loud noise.
Consider obtaining frequent hearing exams for your own safety. There are few things more dangerous on a construction site than losing your hearing, which is an important aspect of your situational awareness.
Welders should generally keep their jewelry in their locker or at home. Electric shock can be reduced by wearing protective boots, gloves, and overalls. Furthermore, if two welders are working on the same piece at the same time, they should be out of each other’s reach—managers should make sure they don’t come into contact with each other by accident.
Arc welders should also check their external connections on a regular basis to maintain cleanliness and tightness.
Welders can also avoid flash burn injuries by using specific equipment provided by their supervisors. This equipment, in addition to a welding hood and goggles, contains a lens shade with adequate filter strength, welding blinds, and assistance glasses to magnify the work surface without causing welders to position their heads at an unhealthy distance from the arc.
If you were wounded in a welding accident, you might be able to sue your employer. Even if you haven’t been hurt, but your job is dangerous, you may be able to file a claim with OSHA against your company. A workplace injury lawyer can advise you on your rights and relevant remedies.
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