According to one study, underwater welders have the highest fatality rate of any occupation. For comparison, other highly dangerous jobs such as loggers and fishermen have fatality rates of below 0. That means underwater welders are more than 75 times as likely to die on the job as some of America's most dangerous occupations.
Underwater welders face substantial risks each time they are on a job. But, the data available to substantiate this claim is outdated. This number can, at best, be considered a benchmark. Science and technology have taken great strides towards making underwater welding safer.
During the past few decades, research and development have made significant progress in underwater welding. Without a doubt, the continuous research and development in underwater welding today, has made it a much safer profession.
Underwater welding is a high-performance job. It warrants great expertise in welding techniques and some diving skills. This creates immense opportunities for upcoming young welders. Young welders are most preferred by all employers. The young blood is easy to mold as per the requirements. With specialized training in the required areas, they can be an asset. They also have high levels of physical and mental endurance. Thus making a viable option for the employers.
The hard labor and the countless hours of underwater welding are rewarding. The valuable real-time experience is also a great asset. The experienced ones get accommodated in onshore projects and training assignments. Many make it to high managerial and supervisory positions. Underwater welding is now a tad safer than the recent past.
Continuous efforts are on to make underwater welding safer. Underwater welding adds to the expansive oil, mining, telecommunications, and other advanced industries. Serious efforts are on, towards making the profession practical, accessible, and safer.
A few measures to avoid hyperbaric welding risks are as follows;. Underwater welding is a high-pressure job that involves a fair amount of risks. But it is one of the most lucrative welding jobs. With the right attitude, a piece of in-depth knowledge and an advanced training certificate, it can be a wise career choice! Underwater welding produces gases oxygen, hydrogen that have explosive potential if combined in high levels. During wet welding, welder-divers may hear a small popping sound caused from hydrogen and oxygen bubbles traveling upward and collecting.
This sound should serve as a warning to stop underwater welding immediately to locate the area where gas is collecting. Because many welder-divers work hundreds of feet underwater, they undergo pressure changes that can cause harmful effects on their body on their way up.
Similar to putting your foot on a half-full balloon and creating bulges in odd places. Symptoms of the bends include dull pain, itching and fatigue in these parts of the body:. From the bell, diver-welders will work in either the water or a hyperbaric chamber. To decrease risk of decompression sickness coming up to the surface, diver-welders should avoid the following:.
In general, underwater welders only ascend about 33 feet per minute with proper decompression. Companies employing diver-welders follow rigorous guidelines for decompression using computers that calculate decompression rates for all their equipment, but diver-welders must still be aware of these procedures in case equipment malfunctions. In addition to decompression sickness, all divers expose themselves to various risks underwater. Although not as high profile in nature, hyperbaric welders should prepare themselves for these risks:.
Malfunctions in breathing equipment such as your mask, hoses or oxygen tank s are one of the most daunting underwater welding hazards, especially in situations where they cannot come to the surface quickly. Because underwater welders use surface supplied oxygen, their umbilicals can twist and rip. Underwater welders must also be physically fit.
It can also be done throughout the employment. Underwater welders never dive alone. Many companies also use decompression chambers that gradually descend and ascend the welders. This helps to avoid the bends. Underwater welding involves working with large equipment in often hazardous environments. They can get work in inland or offshore locations. Inland jobs can involve working on dams, vessels and bridges. They usually get less pay in comparison to offshore underwater welders, but they also operate on a less demanding schedule.
Offshore welders mostly work on oil rigs and large ships. They can expect to make bigger bucks, but it will also require spending a lot of time at sea and working long weeks. Your email address will not be published. Name required. Email required. Table of Contents 1 Underwater Welding Risks 1.
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