5 Commonest MIG Welding Hazards and their Prevention

A MIG welder is a need either you may be a big manufacturer with an army of the trained welder or a small shop where the work of welding is minimal. The MIG welding machine is a universal, versatile, adaptable for many different users skill levels but also to many different materials & application for a big range of welding. It is important to be aware of these hazards to know the safety standard of our welders. A MIG welder is a shielded metal arc welder that use high voltage to melt the wire that fed through MIG torch and applied to the point of the weld which on cooling form a welding bond between two metals. The shielding gas fed through torch protects the welding zones from oxidation. The combination of an electrical arc, hot metal and gases may produce hazards for the workers in their adjoining area. They are as follows:

Fire Hazards: The welding process has an active ignition source and breathable air which are dreaded source of a fire. The combustible and flammable materials must be away from the welding zone for the safety of workers by preventing this fire.
Respiratory Hazards: There are multiple respiratory hazards with metal welding. The filler material may produce toxic gases by itself. The substance on the surfaces of metal to be welded like paint may produce toxic gases and fumes and these toxic gases may displace the oxygen in the work area with the hazardous fumes and gases. The process may generate carbon monoxide gas at a potentially toxic level.
Eye burn and Photophobia: The brilliant bright, hot arc that melts the metal wire may be dangerous to look at directly. It may cause burn to cornea leading on to photophobia, watering from eye, pain. There may be a temporary or permanent diminution of the vision. This hazard can affect the welders and anyone in the area who can see the weld zone
Skin Burns: The drops of the melted metal splashed and sprayed from the weld zone can burn the exposed skin. The workpiece itself may remain hot to the touch for some time and a source for the skin burn. The UV light can sometimes cause sunburn.
Ergonomics Hazards: The workpiece that is not optimally positioned requires the welder to contort their bodies and contribute to ergonomics injuries. The position of helmet and torch once put the helmet in place by jerk may produce an ergonomic injury if done repeatedly.

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