Welding Safety belongs to everyone
The demanding process of welding raises concerns about occupational safety. The right equipment and safety precautions greatly reduce risks, help prevent occupational diseases and injuries, and provide the best possible conditions for safer and more comfortable welding without sacrificing efficiency.
Health hazards in the workplace are a major concern for both employers and employees, who wish to protect the welder’s eyes, ears, face, lungs, head and body. Welding safety is improved by proper training, adherence to safety regulations, protection, and minimising or eliminating exposure to hazards. This is done through providing welders with personal protective equipment, like welding torches and helmets, welding respirators and flame-resistant clothing. The type and level of protection depends on the task and length of exposure. For example, light welding helmets might be enough for occasional use, whereas prolonged exposure to airborne welding and grinding fumes requires the very best respiratory protection aswell as attention to eronomics.
Health hazards in welding
Most safety hazards in welding arise from exposure to heat, UV radiation, intense light and the smoke the welding processes produce. Welding fumes pose a health risk for the welder and anyone sharing the same workspace. Most occupational lung diseases are caused by repeated, long-term exposure to airborne contamination, but even a severe, single exposure to a hazardous agent can damage the lungs. Often, welding happens in difficult positions, which can cause excessive fatigue and occupational injuries.
Learn more why welding safety is important and how to avoid the most common welding hazards.
