by James | Sep 17, 2022 | Buying Guide
Welding is a hazardous job with very high risks involved. Millions of workers are subjected to safety risks involved in welding. At the same time, we cannot eliminate the welding profession since it is a job that our society needs. We must encourage workers to take as many preventive measures as possible. Providing proper training and educating workers on the safety risks are a couple of ways to equip them to face the dangers of welding.
Informing welders about safety risks is an essential step toward preventing any accidents from taking place. They need to know what to avoid and how to protect themselves from unseen dangers. Every welder should be aware of the risks involved. In this article, we will inform you about safety risks that a welder may potentially have to expose themselves to. Let’s dive in.
1. Confined Space
Working in a confined space is a health hazard. There is a lack of oxygen in the room, followed by the fact that you are working with inert gases while welding. This can be extremely dangerous and a safety hazard. Gasses tend to react with each other and may potentially create harmful chemicals like rust which is why a ventilated environment is crucial.
Oxygen inside tanks and pipes makes it all the riskier. To avoid this, try to find an alternative to working in such spaces. If that is not attainable, use a safety system of work. There are also special welding helmets for tight spaces. It is always recommended to use all safety gears while welding
2. Fire And Explosions
Before you begin welding, you should remove all flammable material from the area you work in, such as wood and fabric. Any hot work executed during welding should be monitored and done very carefully. Although hot work cannot be done anywhere safely and must have a dedicated space, it is possible to keep a close eye on clear inflammable material.
Welders should also monitor hot work until an hour later to ensure no sparks or small flames have been ignited or are on the verge of igniting. Another health hazard under this is the smoke from sparks or hot work executed.
3. Electrical Hazard
Welding naturally requires an electrical circuit as a part of the welding process. Therefore, whenever a welder handles electrical equipment, they may be exposed or at risk of receiving electrical shocks. Electrical circuit breakers can protect welders from getting electrocuted. The welder is responsible for ensuring that the equipment is free from defects.
Welders are also instructed to report any as soon as one is spotted. Avoid welding in damp areas and inside metal structures to decrease the chances of electric shocks. An insulating mat would be helpful in this instance.
4. Physical Hazards
A lot of accidents tend to be the cause of slips and trips. This can also be because of inadequate arrangement or structure of the workplace that can cause a welder to slip and fall. Companies should work towards managing this to minimize or eliminate the risks of tripping over things like wires, imbalanced flooring, etc. It is not costly. It requires a lot of care and monitoring, which is crucial to implement in a welding environment.
Other physical hazards include cuts which are highly common due to the nature of the profession. Crushed toes and crushed fingers also happen a lot because of the involvement of dealing with or carrying heavy objects. You can prevent this by using protective gear or PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) at all times and at all costs.
Conclusion of Safety Risks While Welding:
Welding in a confined space can be dangerous due to the lack of ventilation since there is a dealing of inert gasses, which can make toxic chemicals. There are also huge risks of fire and explosions, especially when you conduct hot work. Since welding requires handling electrical equipment, this increases the chances of getting electrocuted.
Other physical accidents are cuts, burns, slips, and crushed fingers or toes. Therefore, always wear welding gloves and working boots during welding. Being educated on the risks is essential to ensure you minimize the chances of any of these events taking place. We hope this article helped give you enough insight into the safety risks involved in welding. Thank you for reading!
Here is James a welding expert having more than 8 years of experience in the welding industry. In this blog, I share my professional experience and knowledge as a welding guide. I also review welding helmets and other top welding-related products on the basis of my experiences.
by James | Jun 12, 2022 | Buying Guide
A wrong underwater welding helmet is a total tragedy. The helmet for underwater diving is one of those items that is so vital and any mishap with it could seriously affect your performance. If you’re a diver, then you are aware of this already. Let’s begin with the various kinds and then look into the information about the most widely worn caps.
Underwater Welding Helmet
A diving helmet is not just a device that safeguards the diver from injuries. It also lets the diver breathe air via the umbilical as well as a system of communication that connects the diver with the tenders at the surface.
Divers depend on their team members to “make it hot” when it’s time to switch on the welding equipment’s power or make adjustments when conditions change. Divers usually wear the same helmet as commercial underwater welders but with a welding visor for underwater welding helmet.
The visor is fitted to the helmet of a diving diver to shield divers’ eyes from the arc’s brightness. Projections are available in various colors and styles according to the design and the diver’s preferences.
What Types Of Commercial Diving Welding Helmets Are There?
Welders who work underwater require a sturdy diving helmet to perform their job. On the surface, welding helmets (hoods) shield welders’ eyes and faces when they are working on a welding job. Welding helmets underwater serve this function and allow the welder and diver to breathe.
Most divers use the same diving helmet they wear on a typical commercial dive, but with an additional feature: a welding screen that can be attached to the mask’s front to provide eye protection. The screens can be adjusted up and down, similar to welding hoods, and are available in various shades.
Diving Helmet Types
Underwater welders use different kinds of underwater welding helmets according to the underwater environment and working conditions.
· Open Circuit
The helmet is equipped with gas valves that are non-return and anti-fogging lenses. It also has side weights, an internal cushion, and other contemporary features. It’s the most sought-after safety helmet used by commercial divers. Since it is equipped with an idle valve, the air exhaled is released into the sea.
· Reclaim
The type of helmet is based on the same principle similar to that of the Open Circuit, but it recycles the gas exhaled by the diver and then pumps it back to the system at the same pressure.
· Free-Flow Helmet
The helmet is designed with the most straightforward style. This helmet is highlighted by a more extensive, transparent visor that offers greater visibility. Because of its ease of use, divers can pull the helmet apart and put it back together using a screwdriver and wrench. It’s primarily used in areas with hazardous materials and water that is shallow.
Wet welding uses only an air source supplied by the surface (SSA), and it’s important to note the technology used for SSA is specially designed and only utilized by experts. SSA (as opposed to the more common SCUBA) is vital for underwater welders since it permits communication with the welding machine’s surface crew.
How To Choose A Commercial Underwater Helmet
Once you become aware of different underwater welding helmets models and how their functioning. It’s time to talk about the details of these hoods. However, regardless of the style and model, you select, Here are some tips to remember while making your decision. It is essential to choose a suitable underwater hat for your requirements that doesn’t make your work difficult.
The Return Policy
Check that the store where you purchase your new underwater welding hood comes with at least two weeks of the return policy. It is essential to test the helmet thoroughly. Check everything out and determine if it’s working for you. Commercial divers’ equipment is costly, and the hats are the most expensive part that underwater welding professionals own.
Price
The commercial underwater hats’ prices could range from $6,000 to $10,000 for a brand new one. It could also be feasible to purchase an older helmet because of its long-lasting nature. Underwater welders can make a lot of money so, they must use a good quality underwater welding helmet. Also check the how much underwater welders make in one year.
In this way, you’re in the range of $1,000 to $3000. It may seem more attainable, but it is best only to buy a used helmet if you believe you can be sure that previous owners took good maintenance of the item. Be sure you’re well-prepared for this type of investment. If you’re a beginner diver, consider your experience in the field and potential income. According to our experience in welding industry, we suggest you to always buy a new welding hood.
Are you confident that you’re in the correct position to purchase the equipment you need?
Most of the welding jobs offer welding equipment, same is the case with underwater welding helmet. While on the job, you’ll be held accountable for the hat. It is essential to treat underwater hat with full care. Nearly all jobs will include an ad-hoc policy regarding the care of the cap.
A policy could say that each night after the work is completed, it is your responsibility to clean your hat, examine its condition and feed it. The Company’s hood will save you money, but it also comes with an obligation.
In addition, you need to be sure that the Company is working correctly because you have seen someone else wearing that hat previously and another before them, etc. Therefore, you can avoid purchasing the hat first when you are offered an opportunity that provides the underwater cap, and you are prepared for the responsibilities and the risks that go along with the purchase.
Breathing Function
Let’s start with the technical aspects. One of the most critical aspects is the quality of your breathing in the underwater welding helmet. Test different helmets to find one that gives you to breathe with great effectiveness. Because it can be fatal for your life if it’s not working well. It can be the cause of underwater welder death.
Your breathing should be simple and easy to regulate. We discussed the open circuit or the on-demand airflow helmets earlier and the free flow models. It is common to use air hats on demand often, so make sure that their valves and regulators are of top quality and allow adjustments. Nothing can make your job more difficult than having difficulties breathing under the car’s hood.
Regulators and Valves
The helmet’s regulators should be made from anti-corrosion material. This is a standard feature for modern helmets. It is possible to choose between stainless steel and hard plastics; however, many different materials can be utilized.
Your regulator must be able to make a wide variety of adjustments. This will allow you to modify the breathing setting to meet your specific needs. Valves should be located in an easy-to-access area. However, most models have considered this already. In particular, an emergency air valve.
If you are a diver who welds is a must to have an extra tank in your bag. The tank is connected to the emergency valve that is in your helmet. If the umbilical cord were to cut off or something else occurred, leaving the person without air, they can switch off the emergency valve and then breathe out of the tank.
This tank is usually equipped with a small quantity of oxygen. Only enough to bring you up to the surface. Other valves that your helmet requires are the gas supply return valve and a ventilation valve. The ventilation valve is utilized to clear the view and let the face breathe. The valve for the supply that does not return allows breathing gas to enter through the umbilical cord.
Communication Skills
Commercial diving requires a lot of communication. It is constant direct contact with your topside team. The tender will always communicate with you, direct your workflow while paying attention to your breathing, and remain in readiness if you need to contact assistance.
Underwater Welding Helmet Size
The diving helmet should be comfortable and snug to your head. It shouldn’t be too tight, but it should feel right. It’s something only you will feel and determine that everything is fine. The hat shouldn’t be any bigger than you require.
You can work for months or even minutes on a structure, but regardless, to be effective, your helmet has to be shaped to fit your head.
Everyone who is an expert in sizing takes it seriously, and that’s why you should too. Nearly every commercial diving helmet can allow you to replace one foam padding for another to attain the right fit. So even if you’re not happy with the design, it is still possible to alter it.
The Mobility You Display
Imagine that welder divers aren’t capable of achieving the entire movement. However, many don’t think that an incorrect configuration or the choice of the wrong type of underwater welding helmet can be the reason for this. This can result in a lower level of performance and could hinder your professional career.
Your performance will be better when your mobility is comparable to the one you have in the absence of commercial diving gear. Your neck dam needs to fit your neck nicely to enable this to happen. This might mean trying various models before settling on the right one for you.
The situation could become more complicated with the diving suit you’re using. For instance, if your work requirements necessitate you wearing a dry suit, you will be protected by protection from hazmat particles. However, your mobility is affected unless the suit’s material is suitable for your body and an appropriately sized case.
Conclusion
Every underwater welding job given to a commercial dive team will have distinct specifications and conditions that determine what equipment and tools are required. It also depends on whether the project needs a hyperbaric welding method or a wet weld process. The underwater welding helmet is among the essential equipment required to accomplish this task.
Here is James a welding expert having more than 8 years of experience in the welding industry. In this blog, I share my professional experience and knowledge as a welding guide. I also review welding helmets and other top welding-related products on the basis of my experiences.
