Welding Accidents
Are you in the welding profession? Have you experienced an injury that has left you with long, extensive treatments and time off of work? The truth is, welding is a difficult trade that requires a lot of attention and patience. Those with the utmost of skill in the trade will work in welding careers, but accidents are not unheard of. According to research, over 1 in 250 construction workers will suffer fatal injuries from welding during their working lifetime. What does this mean for employment opportunities that require welding? Should employees be trained for excellence as well as given the proper equipment for the job? What happens when an accident occurs?
How Welding Accidents Occur
Many people are unsure of exactly how welding works. For instance, the trade involves taking two pieces of metal and joining them together through the use of heat. The heat melts and liquefied the metal to fuse the two pieces. However, in order for the pieces of metal to melt, a large amount of pressure or heat must be applied. Because of these large amounts of heat, accidents can happen faster than somebody may imagine. Here are some of the most common injuries that stem from these unsightly accidents:
- Burns: These injuries are typically very serious and this seriousness can be seen right away. In some cases, they can be fatal, too.
- Exposure to UVs: These accidents are created by the electric arc in the welding process and can cause burns as well as damaging effects on one’s eyes. This can lead to “arc-eye,” which is uncomfortable and untreatable that makes it feel like there is sand in the eye.
- Exposure to IRs: In an infrared radiation accident, the surface of the skin and tissues below the skin are heated, which can cause painful and scarring thermal burns.
- Exposure to Intense Visible Light: Optical injuries occur in these accidents. One of the most common injuries is retinal damage, which happens due to exposure to intense visible light during the welding process.
How Can These Accidents be Prevented?
All safety precautions should be taken when preventing welding accidents. Some of the protective measures to be taken include wearing eye protection and a full face shield if available. You should also wear thick gloves at all times and keep the torch pointed away from you. Employers should always have safety equipment necessary for the welding process and should always make sure it is properly maintained. If you are concerned that this is not the case, you should bring these issues up with your employer.
Employers Owe You a Duty of Care.
Employers are responsible for avoiding workplace injuries. This means that, aside from just maintaining proper equipment, employers must also follow standards to the T. This includes various Health and Safety guidelines that are designed to protect employees against the risk of exposure to dangerous chemicals such as toxic fumes that are generated during welding. But what happens if an employer does not do these things?
If you suspect that negligence was at play in your welding accident, you should take necessary steps to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve as well as ensuring that future employees are protected. If you are injured in an accident, you may hold your employer responsible if negligence occurred. Call an attorney that has experience in these types of personal injury cases. Call Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi for more information today.
