Welding and burning operations provide the potential for fires and injuries. In addition to your surroundings, your hearing, skin, neck, back, head and respiratory system are all at risk when performing welding operations. Therefore, employees must be aware of the hazards that welding poses and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves.
Electric shock
The arc welding process requires a live electrical circuit to melt metal, which means there is a serious risk of being electrocuted. This risk is increased if you are working in wet conditions, wearing wet clothing whilst welding, working on metal flooring or structures and working in cramped conditions.
To reduce these risks the equipment should conform to the ISO/BS standards. The equipment should be undamaged, and the conductor must be thick enough to carry the current safely. If there are any defects these should be reported. Users must also always wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
Exposure
Exposure to UV and IR radiation can happen from looking at the intense light produced when welding. That is why it is necessary to wear PPE or welding curtains to prevent long-lasting damage from happening to the eyes. Long term exposure and failure to wear appropriate PPE can potentially lead to loss of vision or cataracts. The fumes, gases and dust produced can also lead to conjunctivitis.
Burns
UV radiation exposure and coming into contact with a heat source means that there is a high chance of being burnt when welding. Burns from welding are severe and can affect the skin or eyes. Again, that is why wearing PPE can help to avoid these burns from happening. A combination of eye protection, helmets, gloves and welding aprons or jackets will help to prevent burns.
Respiratory conditions
Welding produces many harmful fumes and gases such as nitrogen oxide, chromium, ozone, nickel oxide and carbon monoxide. Some of these gases can easily penetrate the lungs resulting in illnesses. Long term exposure to these fumes and gases can cause illnesses like pneumonia, cancer and occupational asthma. Good ventilation and wearing respiratory PPE can help avoid these illnesses.
Noise
Welding activities can be very noisy and prolonged exposure to loud noises can result in permanent hearing loss. Workers should never be exposed to noises of 85 dB(A) or above without hearing protection. Since some welding activities can produce noise levels over this threshold, hearing protection must be worn.
Fire and explosion
Welding produces heat and sparks which could catch alight debris on the floor, starting a fire. All flammable material must be tidied away before starting a welding job. Likewise, combustible material should be removed from the work area or there should be a safe place designated for welding work. Avoid working in enclosed spaces as smoke and fires cannot escape and will quickly affect those working nearby.
A safe system of work and a risk assessment should be in place already to prevent these events from occurring. It is also important that fire extinguisher equipment, hoses or sand buckets are kept in proximity just in case.
