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Construction Welding Hazards And Safety Measures

Hazards emanating from construction welding manifest as a result of a combination of factors, mostly being an unsafe working environment and lack of appropriate protection from the evident hazards. Safety in construction welding is, therefore, a factor that has to be addressed to avoid personal injuries which are unfortunately fatal at times. Our welding accident lawyers have put together a few most common questions associated with welding accidents below.

What Causes Construction Welding Hazards?

Construction hazards can manifest in varied orientations ranging from:

• Electric shocks
Fumes from metal oxides
• Fire explosions
• Burns
Electric shocks are the most common hazard settings that exist within a construction welding working environment. The electric shocks come about as a result of the presence of bare wires or welding circuits that carry a high voltage.

Fire explosions also manifest as a hazard risk during the welding process. Fire explosions come about due to the presence of flammables within the working environment. As a construction worker, you are always exposed to the risk of an explosion largely due to the presence of dust particles and flammables which when bombarded by electric current initiate an energy capacity that explodes.
Fumes that are produced by the welded materials also count as a hazard. When welding, the metal elements usually form metal oxides compounds which when inhaled can be harmful to your health. The fumes usually lead to breathing difficulties and may even be fatal if inhaled beyond the threshold limits of the body over an extended period which is a factor that causes poisoning of the body system with heavy metal.

What Are The Safety Measures You Have To Observe?

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are astute in following company internal safety practices. This absolves
blame when it comes to finding out the root cause of a hazard. Reviewing the material safety data sheet is the very first aspect that you have to consider since it gives you the operational process that needs to be followed when handling equipment. Construction welding makes use of different elements and materials and handling them as prescribed by the manufacturer instructions is the only way to be safe.
As a construction welding worker, you have to inspect the electrode holder and ensure that it is up to the threshold working capacity. You should also at all times ensure you have the personal protective equipment to guard against burns and exposure to bare live wires.

What Are The Responsibilities Of A Contractor?

As long as you have observed the safety measures required, you as a construction worker are protected by the construction accidents law which means any eventuality is the responsibility of the contractor. Contractors are usually held liable for negligence if and when they do not provide a safe working environment for construction welding workers.

The first aspect a contractor must address is the repair and replacement of damaged insulation which protects against shocks and flames. It is also the responsibility of a contractor to ensure that fire alarms and extinguishers are operational and well within the reach of the workers. A contractor has to frequently bring in an industrial hygienist to measure and determine whether the working environment satisfies the permissible exposure limits specified.

The Bottom Line

Construction welding hazards can be avoided when the appropriate safety measures are adopted and implemented. As a construction worker, you are within your rights to find an injury law firm to trace settlement when you are injured as a result of the negligence or oversight of a contractor.

The lack of or inappropriateness of safety measures marks as enough grounds to absolve you from any blame and to place it on the contracting company. A personal injury attorney can help you file for, and negotiate a settlement for injuries incurred in the line of duty most notably if the injuries have caused you to become incapacitated.

Learn more about welding accidents here: https://banvillelaw.com/construction-worker-injured-by-saw/

Laurence P. Banville
Date Published: November 29, 2015
Laurence P. Banville is the managing partner of Banville Law. As an experienced personal injury attorney, Mr. Banville helps clients recover compensation from those responsible for his clients' injuries. Our firm is located in New York City, serving clients from the five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.
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