Welding is reported to injure over half a million workers every year. The manufacturing and construction industries are areas where welders are overrepresented. That being said, these individuals aren’t treated with the respect they deserve, given the fact that they are considered as dispensable working class types. Welding injuries are common, and they can put a person out of commission in many areas of their life.
Welding has many risks due to the fact that heat, fumes and toxic metals are involved in the process. It’s very easy to suffer an injury over time, and organs such as the eyes, skin, and lungs are most commonly affected. Permanent disability is something that is seen a lot in welding injuries and most people will need specialized treatment that can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Here are some of the most common welding injuries:
- Skin injuries due to constant contact with UV radiation produced by the welding machine. This, over time will lead to skin cancer which might metastasize or spread, leading to health complications and even loss of life.
- Welding eye injuries are common despite the protective eyewear donned by workers in this injury. Bright lights can over time lead to corneal and retinal damage, ending up in poor or loss of vision
- Fumes from the welding process can lead to solid particle deposition in the lungs, causing things like bronchitis and COPD. In addition, it’s not uncommon for the nervous system to be affected, resulting in neurological impairment and sometimes, even early onset Alzheimer’s.
- Overworking on account of double shifts can lead to fatigue which then impairs concentration. In such a scenario, people are more likely to make cognitive mistakes, leading to injuries such as not welding iron pieces together well. And dropping equipment on their legs or other workers.
Get Legal Help Today!
Contractors are charged with the responsibility of creating a safe working environment for their workers. Failure to do this is tantamount to negligence which can be directly attributed to injuries. If you believe that someone else’s negligence caused you to suffer welding injuries, you may be entitled to money damages. Please call Michael McCready on 877-561-3004 today for more information. Thanks, and we look forward to hearing from you.