Apply Safety Practices

Health hazards from welding, cutting, and brazing operations include

exposures to metal fumes and to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Safety

hazards from these operations include burns, eye damage, electrical

shock, cuts, and crushed toes and fingers. Many of these can be

controlled with proper work practices and personal protective

equipment (PPE).

Welding Safety Hazards

Welding operations present several hazards to both those undertaking

the activity and others in the vicinity. Therefore, it’s important that

you are aware of the risks and hazards welding poses, and understand

what precautions you can take to protect yourself

Welding Hazards in the Workplace

Electric Shock

During the arc welding process, live electrical circuits are used to create a

pool of molten metal. Therefore, when welding, you are at risk of

experiencing an electric shock. Electric shock is the most serious hazard

posed by welding and can result in serious injuries and fatalities, either

through a direct shock or from a fall from height after a shock. You are also

at risk of experiencing a secondary electric shock should you touch part of

the welding or electrode circuit at the same time as touching the metal you

are welding.

You are particularly at risk if you work in electrically hazardous conditions.

These include welding:

In damp conditions.

While wearing wet clothing.

On metal flooring or structures.

In cramped conditions where you are required to lie, kneel or crouch.

Noise Hazards

When carrying out welding activities, you are likely to be exposed to loud,

prolonged noises. A loud noise is considered to be above 85 dB(A), and

welding activities such as flame cutting and air arc gouging can produce

noise levels of over 100 dB(A). This can be very damaging to the ears and

can result in hearing impairment.

Regular or immediate exposure to loud noises can cause permanent

noise-induced hearing loss.

Noise-induced hearing loss can have the following side effects:

Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus.

Occasional dizziness, known as vertigo.

Increased heart rate.

Increased blood pressure.

Exposure to UV and IR Radiation

Looking at the intense bloom of UV light produced when welding,

without appropriate PPE or welding curtains, can result in a painful

and sometimes long-lasting condition called arc-eye. Many factors

can affect the severity of a flash burn injury, such as distance,

duration and the angle of penetration. Long-term exposure to arc

flashes could also potentially result in cataracts and lead to a loss of

vision.

Other forms of eye damage include:

Foreign bodies entering the eye, including grit, sparks and dust.

Particulate fumes and gases, which could lead to conjunctivitis.

Exposure to Fumes and Gases

Undertaking welding activities will expose you to invisible gaseous fumes,

including ozone, nitrogen oxides, chromium and nickel oxides, and carbon

monoxide which can easily penetrate into your lungs. Depending on the gas

or fume, the concentration and duration of your exposure, the resultant

damage can be severe.

Illnesses caused by welding fumes and gases include:

Pneumonia. Regular exposure to welding fumes and gases can result in a

lung infection which could then develop into pneumonia. While antibiotics

can usually stop the infection, severe pneumonia can result in

hospitalization, serious illness and fatalities.

Occupational asthma. Chromium oxides and nickel oxides produced by

stainless steel and high nickel alloy welding can both cause asthma.

Cancer. All welding fumes are internationally considered ‘carcinogenic’.

Metal fume fever. Welding or hot work on galvanized metal and high steel

weld fume exposure can often result in ‘flu-like’ symptoms, which are

usually worse at the start of the working week. You might have heard that

drinking milk before welding will help you avoid developing metal fume

fever, but this is a myth.

Throat and lung irritation, including throat dryness, tickling of the throat,

coughing and tight chests.

Burns

The combination of high-temperature welding arcs, UV rays and molten

metal means you are susceptible to severe burns when welding. These

burns can affect the skin or eyes and can be very serious. They can also

happen very quickly.

Burns usually occur when welders think they can skip taking precautions

for a few quick welds. This is bad practice. If you follow our outlined

precautions, you should be able to prevent burns.