Welding Accidents in Massachusetts
Welding is one of the more dangerous operations in the construction sector, and workers may be at an almost daily risk of injuries that range from burns to debilitating occupational diseases.
Most welding-related injuries like burns from hot metal, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and “welder’s flash” can be minimized by the use of personal protection equipment and continuous monitoring and evaluation of burn and fire hazards.
A potential problem however is that welding safety training tends to differ from school to school and the best schools don’t necessarily provide the best kind of hazard information. The result is that many welders enter the construction sector with very little concise information about the kind of hazards that they will be exposed to on a daily basis. It also does not help them when employers neglect to provide them with personal protection equipment and fail to conduct safety training programs, all of which can greatly benefit welder safety.
The more serious hazards facing welding workers are fire and electrical injury hazards. The kind of heat that a welder uses to weld two pieces of metal together is extremely high, and there is a serious risk of burn hazards if a person is not wearing personal protection equipment. Splatters of metal can fly onto the welder’s skin, causing immediate second and third degree burns. Those splatters can be hot enough to burn right through clothing in just a few seconds. Welders may also be at risk of electrical shock hazards and electrocution risks.
A welder may be exposed to metal fumes and gases that are released during the welding process. For instance, welding operations frequently result in the generation of aluminum, cadmium, chromium, and copper fumes. Not all of these fumes are toxic, but it is highly recommended that inhalation of these vapors be avoided. Excessive exposure to chromium has been linked to lung cancer, while exposure to cadmium can result in long-term kidney and lung damage.
Workers can be protected from exposure hazards by providing them with personal protection equipment and also making sure that there is sufficient ventilation in the work area. The right kind of ventilation can prevent the accumulation of toxic gases, vapors, and fumes. To prevent electrical hazards employers must make sure that any servicing and installation of electrical points and circuits must be done only by professional electricians and not by welders. All welding equipment must be maintained properly and must be serviced regularly.
Peter Ventura is a Massachusetts work injury lawyer dedicated to the representation of workers who have suffered significant injuries as a result of welding accidents across Massachusetts.
To learn more about the full range of your legal rights following a welding accident or harm sustained from employment as a welder, contact the office of Peter Ventura, Attorney at Law for a free consultation. We combine prompt investigation and evaluation of your case with careful attention to determine who is at fault for such an accident and injuries and how to most effectively recover damages and financial compensation on your behalf.