Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers are exposed to a large number of potential hazards that pose a risk of injury throughout the welding process. More than 50 percent of all welding-related injuries affect the eyes and face. OSHA requires employers to ensure that employees have the appropriate eye and face protection to protect against flying debris, metal spatter, radiant energy and harmful light radiation. Yet, these hazards continue to contribute to significant workers’ compensation costs and lost-time injuries. This article examines the factors that cause these injuries, safety practices that can be implemented to prevent them, and advanced equipment technology available to improve welding safety.
The 2014 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that today’s workforce employs over 350,000 welders, cutters, solderers and brazers in a wide variety of industries, each presenting its own safety hazards. The American Welding Society mentions that U.S. Government agencies estimate over 2,000 eye injuries occur each day that require medical treatment, and 1,000 eye injuries occur in the industrial workplace alone.