Welding jobs can be as dangerous as other industrial activities and includes the risk of asphyxiation due to dangerous inhalants, skin and eye damage due to ultraviolet light, electrical or chemical fires, and long-term negative effects from fumes. These risks can be avoided or mitigated with the use of proper equipment, safe materials, and a few common sense measures.
Apart from physical risks associated with sparks and arcs, their brightness and strong ultraviolet (UV) rays also pose major health hazards and can cause cancer in unprotected eyes and skin, if exposed for longer durations. Welders can protect themselves with the help of a wide range of safety equipment such as auto-darkening helmets and thick gloves that reduce exposure. Any flammable material or substance present in the welding area should be removed to prevent the risk of accidental fire due to sparks.
Welding may also lead to the release of carcinogenic or toxic chemicals that might be present in a sealant or coating over the metal surfaces to be welded. The welding machines generate immense heat that releases these hazardous molecules in the air, where they are easily inhaled.
Metals such as stainless steel, copper, and zinc may contain lead, cadmium, and chromium, which can prove very dangerous if inhaled. Initial symptoms of exposure may include temporary flu-like sickness whereas long-term exposure can lead to fatal diseases affecting the lungs, liver, and other important organs of the human body. Welders can protect themselves from these toxic fumes by using industrial welding masks available in the market.
Welding jobs must be undertaken in well ventilated spaces as welding processes are often associated with the depletion of life giving gases such as oxygen. Welding in closed spaces will lead to the buildup of large concentration of ozone, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide, which can cause headaches and even brain damage if exposed for longer periods.
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