Injury Risks Caused by Welding
Because of the intense heat created by the welding equipment, welders are at an increased risk of being injured on the job. Not only do the hot materials pose a threat to safety, but the light produced by this machinery can cause permanent vision impairment without proper training and equipment. Combined with the inherent risks of manufacturing jobs, and welders face a great deal of danger on a regular basis.
Welders must wear the proper protective gear provided by their employer. This can include goggles, masks, and protective shoes. The welding process also creates exposure to noxious gases. OHSA has required that welders be provided a work environment that is properly ventilated so they don't inhale dangerous particles. Because the hazards of welding are well documented, most injuries that occur in this field are avoidable.
Welding Burn Injury & Flash Burns
With many forms of steel taking up to 2800 degrees to melt, the average welder risks serious burns without proper protection. The welding process can emit UV rays and bright flashes that can burn exposed skin instantly without making direct contact. Another burn danger in welding involves the stray sparks that can also result in long term damage. The heating of metal also produces extremely concentrated rays that can result in severe sunburns.
When UV light is created in the process of welding and is absorbed by the eyes, it can also cause serious vision damage, which is often referred to as welder's flash or ultraviolet keratitis. Prolonged exposure to this UV radiation can lead to chronic solar toxicity, which can lead to serious ocular surface disorders such as pinguecula (non-cancerous growths in the eye), pterygium (corneal growth), climatic droplet keratopathy (degenerative eye condition), squamous metaplasia (non-cancerous change in the lining cells), and even carcinoma (cancer).
Toxic Fumes & Long-Term Welding Injuries
Applying intense heat to different materials creates chemical byproducts. As a result, welders are often exposed to dangerous toxins. When working with carbon steel, for example, the reaction between the welding equipment and the steel produces manganese fumes.
- Impaired speech
- Parkinson’s disease
- Tremors
- Poor motor skills & coordination
- Poor balance, gait, and mobility
- Psychological issues
Call for a Free Consultation with Houston Welding Accident Attorneys
It is possible that your employer may not have provided you with the proper protective equipment which caused you to become injured while on the job. If you are being denied the compensation that you need to pay for medical treatment, lost wages, and lost earning capacity, you may be entitled to a personal injury claim. You may not have been properly trained for the position that you currently hold, and your lack of training caused you to be involved in an accident. Even this can make your employer liable for your injuries. If you are a welder, cutter, brazer, or in a related occupation and you were injured while on the job, then don't hesitate to contact our firm. Our Houston injury attorneys have helped workers nationwide get the money they needed to recover from serious welding accidents. If you're looking for financial relief, speak with us to learn your legal and financial options.
Arnold & Itkin has a record of success in standing up for the rights of accident victims across the country. Our welding injury lawyers in Houston have secured billions in verdicts and settlements. Contact us for a free consultation today.
