Staying Safe: A Guide to Avoiding Welding Hazards

Welding is a useful skill used in all kinds of industries, like construction and manufacturing. But it does come with its fair share of risks that need to be managed to keep everyone safe at work.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, knowing how to handle these hazards is key. In this blog, we’ll discuss common welding dangers and important tips to stay safe on the job.

Welding Safety Hazards

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, welding accidents cause 500,000 injuries a year. Common welding injuries include burns, eye injuries, crushed toes and fingers, electrocution, and toxic fume inhalation.

Here are some typical welding safety hazards to watch out for:

• Burns due to welding tools or heated metal.
• Eye damage from bright arc rays, flying foreign bodies, and particulates.
• Electric shock by touching two metal objects that have voltage between them.
• Fumes and gases with complex metal oxide compounds (especially when working in confined spaces).
• Exposure to infrared and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• Risk of fire and explosion when welding close to flammable material.
• Noise hazards.

Exposure to fumes and UV radiation can cause acute injury, but there’s also a risk of long-term complications, including eye damage, skin cancer, lung cancer, Parkinson’s, stomach ulcers, and other skin conditions.

OSHA’s Welding Safety Regulations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was created in the 1970s to reduce the frequency and severity of work-related injuries and illnesses in the U.S.

Given the danger of welding work, it’s no surprise that OSHA has a number of standards related to welding safety, including regulations designed for General Industry, Construction, and Maritime.

Welding-specific standards are found in 1910 Subpart Q, 1926 Subpart J, and 1915 Subpart D. Each industry also has standards on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Toxic and Hazardous Substances that apply to welding work.

Below, we’ll cover some best practices for safe welding, many of which are mandated by OSHA regulations.

How To Avoid Welding Accidents

To prevent welding accidents, you need to use every tool at your disposal.

Get Proper Training in Welding Techniques and Welding Safety

Welding must be carried out by properly trained and certified welders. This means both training in specific welding equipment and welding techniques, but also safety training.

Wear Welding Safety Equipment

There’s a wide range of PPE for welding that is utterly critical to a welder’s safety and well-being, including:

• Welding helmets/shields and other eye protection that will protect you from sparks, debris, and harmful radiation.
• Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) when outdoors or in indoor environments that cannot be made safe with engineering controls.
• Insulated, flame-resistant gloves.
• Rubber-soled steel toe-capped safety boots.
• Fire-resistant coveralls that cover the top of the boot, with no cuffs or open pockets.
• Hearing protection, possibly fire-resistant earmuffs to prevent sparks or splatter from entering the ears.

Flame retardant treatments become less effective over time, especially with repeated laundering, so keep that in mind.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

Unlike other toxic substances, there is no minimum safe exposure limit for welding fumes. Employers have to prevent exposure to all types of welding fumes.

Welding areas should have adequate ventilation and local exhaust to control exposure to dangerous fumes and ensure an appropriate amount of oxygen. Engineering controls like ventilation should be utilized before relying on PPE like ventilators.

Always check to make sure ventilation equipment is operating properly before you begin operating welding equipment.

Inspect and Maintain Welding Equipment

Faulty or defective welding equipment can be dangerous, so welders and their employers must inspect equipment every day before use. Faulty equipment should be removed from use until it can be repaired or replaced.

Welding equipment will accumulate normal wear and tear over time, so it’s important to regularly maintain it for safety and efficiency.

When repairs are necessary, qualified repair technicians should be utilized and lockout/tagout procedures should be followed to prevent improper use.

Keeping an Organized and Safe Environment

Every new welding area requires its own safety assessment to look for and mitigate potential hazards.

Welders should clear any flammable material at least 35 feet (10 meters) away from the welding area. If this is not feasible, flammable materials either be shielded with sheet metal or a fire-resistant blanket or guarded by a fire watcher to keep track of sparks.

Keep a suitable Class ABC fire extinguisher nearby when welding. Before you begin welding for the day, make sure that the extinguisher gauge is full. If a fire extinguisher isn’t available, you should have fire hoses, sand buckets, or other containment measures at hand.

Once welders are finished working, they should remain in the area for another 30 minutes to ensure there are no smoldering fires created by flying sparks. Any hot metal must be marked to warn other workers before the welder walks away.

Learn Best Practices for Safe Welding with Online OSHA Training

As an OSHA-authorized online training provider of more than 20 years, we have a huge catalog of OSHA-compliant coursework, including OSHA 10 and 30 packages.

 Our Welding and Cutting course covers OSHA’s welding safety regulations. You’ll learn about welding safety hazards and the best practices for safe welding, and you’ll be able to do so at your own pace, from anywhere with an internet connection.

Head to our website to enroll today!