A worker suffered severe burns in an explosion while he was repairing a semitrailer in DeKalb County, GA. The explosion occurred at a tractor-trailer repair factory in the 4300 block of Old McDonough Road, DeKalb County Fire Rescue spokesman Dion Bentley said from the scene. Initially, officials said the fire started after the semitrailer crashed into the building.

A 57-year-old man was killed in an accidental welding explosion while working on a boat at a Kemah, TX business. According to the Galveston County Sheriff's Office, the blast happened at Gulf Coast Trawl Doors in the 900 block of Lawrence Road. Witnesses say the shop owner was welding on a gas tank of a small off-shore boat at the time of the accident.

One person was taken to the hospital after an explosion broke out at home in Westerlo, NY. Seven different fire departments were called to respond to an explosion at 8 Slade Road in Westerlo. Firefighters said the fire was a tough blaze to put out. "When we arrived we had numerous bottles of oxygen and assetline exploding in the structure itself," said Chief Don Filkins, assistant chief at Westerlo fire department.

A ladder safety enhancement, tactical work gloves and a handheld gas monitor are among the top occupational safety and health products featured on ISHN.com this week.

Thanks to low operating costs, intrinsic mechanical properties, and the increased production of light vehicles, the global welding products market is set to surge, climbing from $11.82 billion in 2015 to $19.76 billion by 2025.

Many manufacturers use one of two options to clear the air of welding fumes – filter the dirty air and recirculate clean air inside the facility, or exhaust the dirty air outside and provide clean replacement air from outside.

Welding and welding safety are nothing new to us all. In fact, welding of different types has been around since the 1800’s. While welding equipment today has dramatically improved, has respiratory protection for welders improved to the same degree?

Q. What is a fume plume? A. A fume plume is the clearly visible column of fume that rises directly from the spot of welding or cutting. Welders and cutters should take precautions to avoid breathing this area directly. Ventilation can direct the plume away from the face. (Fume removal is most effective when the air flow is directed across the face of the welder, rather than from behind.)

Organizations such as the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®) and OSHA offer safety guidelines to help employers and workers avoid welding hazards. Employers should ensure all workers have an opportunity to comply with the following important guidelines in the workplace: