Page 12 - OHS, April 2020

WELDING
Covering the Bases: Welding PPE from Head to Toe
When it comes to defending against the hazards faced by welders every day, you must incorporate protective gear from head to toe.
BY SYDNY SHEPARD AND AMANDA SMILEY
12 Occupational Health & Safety | APRIL 2020
www.ohsonline.com
The concept of welding is not new—people have been merging metals together using a plethora of techniques since the 1880s. While technology and protective gear has dramati- cally improved since then, there are still numerous hazards those in the field need to defend against.
In fact, OSHA reports1 some notable hazards for the welding, cutting and brazing sectors that might give you pause. An estimated 562,000 employees are at risk for exposure to chemical and physical hazards of welding, cutting and brazing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 500,000 work- ers are injured every year2 due to welding accidents. The risk of fatal injury to welders is higher than four deaths per 1,000 over a career.
With stats like these, it’s more obvious than ever that employers must work with their employees who spend time welding to understand the hazards they face, protect against them and plan for every emer- gency situation that may arise.
Common Welding Safety Hazards
Today, nearly half a million welders are working ev- ery day with an increased risk of injury due to hazards that are specific to their daily tasks, including: expo-
sure to fumes and gases, burns, eye damage, crushed digits, electric shock, fire—and even explosions. Let’s take a deep dive into each of these hazards.
Physical Hazards. Cuts, eye damage, burns, crushed toes and fingers are all physical hazards that are often associated with welding. Injuries that result from this hazard are often due to insufficient personal protective equipment.
Exposure to Fumes and Gases. Fumes and gases created in the welding process can cause severe health problems for welders as they are classified car- cinogens. Overexposure to these fumes could lead to respiratory illnesses, cancer and impaired speech and movement.
Fire and Explosions. When welding, the arc creates extreme temperatures that may reach up to 10,000 de- grees Fahrenheit and can spark and spatter up to 35 feet away. This extreme heat could cause injury to the welder and the arc spark could catch flammable mate- rial on fire in the workspace if not properly cleared out.
Electric Shock. The most significant threat to a welder is electrocution. The sudden discharge of elec- tricity to the body can cause serious injury and even death. Injuries can result from the shock itself, or a fall caused by the reaction to the shock.
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