Hazard Assessment in Welding and Metalwork
Introduction
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to conduct hazard assessments in their workplace and select appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for each hazard identified. It is the role of safety officer to conduct hazard assessment in the workplace by following OSHA assessment guidelines and PPE assignments to those particular hazards. Controlling hazards enables employers to provide safe and healthy workplaces to their employees; therefore, prevention of work-related accidents and health deterioration or occupational diseases (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
Hazard Assessment in Welding and Metalwork
Welding and metalworking workplace presents many hazards to both the employer and the employees. Ignorance of welding and metalwork related risks may be usual. However, employers and employees must be fully aware of the obvious hazards and potential hazards in the metalworking. The safety officer should identify both the hazards in the welding and metalwork and determine the appropriate PPEso to ensure occupational safety and health of both the employer and the employees (Spiegel-Ciobanu, 2012).
The following are apparent and potential hazards in welding and metalwork and their appropriate PPE: Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Exposure to fumes and gases
Welding work results in the release of hazardous metal oxide gases and fumes that can enter the respiratory organs and cause health issues and long-term illness. Welding gas can result in optical radiation as well (Spiegel-Ciobanu, 2012).
Appropriate PPE:
It is advisable to always read and follow the guidance manual on handling and consuming the welding product you are using. Also, ensure that there are enough space and proper ventilation in the workplace to keep gases and fumes at low levels. Make sure to wear welding goggles or welding face shield (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
Hot sparks and dust
Welding creates hot sparks and has a possibility of reaching 35 feet away from the welding space. Improper following of health and safety procedures in the welding and metalworking may put the workplace at the risk of fire. There is also the likelihood of combustible dust in the welding place, and if the occupants are not careful in collecting and dumping the dust, the site is at risk of an explosion. Hot sparks and welding dust can cause reduced visibility and optical radiation. Also, hot sparks and dust can be hazardous to the occupants’ health (Danzi & Marmo, 2019).
Appropriate PPE:
Use a wet dust collector to collect steel and aluminum dust. It is essential to remove any flammable materials in the workplace before kick-starting your activities. Moreover, it is advisable to wear spectacles with special lenses, welding goggles or face shields and welding helmets to prevent yourself from hot sparks and dust (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
Electric shocks
The occupants of welding and metalworking places are at risk from electrical shocks. It occurs when one touches a live electrical wire, and also electric shock may occur as a result of electrical components short-circuiting or they are poorly connected (Smith, 2014).
Appropriate PPE:
Insulate your body from the metal you are welding and make sure you do not rest any part of your body on the workpiece. Also, use plywood, dry insulators, or rubber mats to avoid electrical shocks. Make sure to wear dry gloves in good condition when metalworking or welding. Moreover, make sure that you conduct technical inspections and make necessary adjustments and repairs to avoid electrical equipment getting faulty and electrical wire exposure (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
References
Spiegel-Ciobanu, V. E. (2012). Occupational health and safety regulations with regard to welding and assessment of the exposure to welding fumes and of their effect. Welding and Cutting, 11(1), 61.
Smith, B. D. (2014). Welding practice. Routledge.
Danzi, E., & Marmo, L. (2019). Dust explosion risk in metal workings. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, 61, 195-205.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/ on 10th February 2020.