Occupational Hazards and Safety Challenges in Welding Activity

Welding process presents significant occupational health and safety (OHS) challenges due to a number of potential hazards associated with it. The main health hazards are due to welding fumes, radiation, heat and noise while electric current, fire and explosion, dangerous machinery, etc. constitute the major safety hazards. Many types of welding processes are available presently and the severity and nature of hazard depends on multiple factors like process and the composition of materials, ventilation, surroundings and the quantitative magnitude of the material being welded. There are various measures and techniques available to reduce the risks from welding associated occupational hazards. Since there are no safe permissible levels for exposure to welding fumes, it is important to identify the risks and hazards for a proper risk management and apply the control measures accordingly. The recently developed welding processes such as laser and electron beam welding bring in additional challenges for the OHS management. A systematic approach specific to the welding process and the associated parameters can protect the workers and the workplace from the welding hazards.