Welder Health and Safety Hazards

Health and safety hazards for welders include:

1. Chemical hazards

• Welding creates fumes which are a complex mixture of metallic oxides, silicates and fluorides.  Welding fumes normally contain oxides of the materials being welded and of the electrodes being used. If the metal has a coating or paint, these too can decompose with the heat and become part of the fumes.
• Flammable and combustible liquids and compressed gases.

2. Ergonomic hazards

• Injuries result from strains, sprains and work-related musculoskeletal disorders, from lifting or moving heavy objects, working in awkward positions for long periods, holding heavy welding guns, and performing repetitive motions.

3. Physical hazards

• Exposure to excessive levels of noise.
• Exposure to excessive heat or cold.
• Exposure to ultraviolet and infrared radiation from welding arc emissions.
• Exposure to gamma- and x-rays from inspection equipment or welding machines, resulting in skin and eye damage such as “welder’s eye” and/or cataracts.

4. Safety hazards

• Working at heights with attendant risk of falls.
• Working in confined spaces.
• Electrical shock or electrocution.
• Eye and skin injuries from flying particles.
• Cuts and stabs from sharp metal edges.
• Burns from hot surfaces, flames, sparks, etc.
• Fires from sparks, flames or hot metals (especially when the atmosphere becomes oxygen enriched and easier to ignite), from flashbacks and equipment failure.

5. Psychological

• Stress from work demands.
• Shift work and extended work days resulting in adverse health effects.

6. Chronic hazards

• Respiratory tract infections resulting from metal fume exposure.
• Pneumoconiosis (lung disease from inhaling metallic or mineral particles).
• Siderosis (a chronic lung disease related to inhaling iron oxide).
• Cancer of the liver, nasal passages, sinuses, stomach, and lung.
• Chronic damage to the eyes and skin from exposure to UV light.
• Central nervous system damage from exposure to lead, manganese and aluminum.
• Lung disease from exposure to carbon dioxide and oxygen deficient atmospheres.
• Chronic poisoning from zinc and cadmium from welding fumes, PCBs from the decomposition of anti-corrosion oils and decomposition products from paints.