Welding is extremely important in the construction industry, where it plays a vital role in creating structures, buildings, and infrastructure projects.
It is a necessary process that allows connecting metal parts to create strong connections, ensuring the stability of construction projects.
It also can be dangerous if not performed with proper safety precautions and training. The process involves high temperatures, intense light, and sometimes toxic fumes, which can pose risks to the welder and those in the surrounding area.
Welding accidents can hurt people in many ways, and most of the injuries that can be sustained are serious injuries. Besides, welding can cause long-term illness if the welder does not use proper protection equipment.
If you or a loved one has suffered from the consequences of welding in The Bronx, whether a welding accident or an illness that has developed over the years, you should talk with a welding accident lawyer.
OSHA Regulations Regarding Welding on Constructions
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provides regulations and guidelines to ensure the safety of workers engaged in welding and related activities.
Any construction project in the Bronx, New York, must fulfill the regulations to operate safely. The Safety codes that explicitly talk about the welding job are:
N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 12 | Welding and flame-cutting operations
- 23 -1.25 a
- 23-1.25 b
- 23-1.25 c
These codes talk about how to keep a safe environment with compressed gas cylinders and what the hose-to-hose connection should be. They also mention the torches and protection of persons against fire and explosions.
Owners and contractors who do not follow the safety rules expose their welder collaborators to suffering welding accidents that can impair them for life. In New York, they can be found liable for injuries caused by dangerous working conditions.
Dangers Associated with Welding in The Bronx
Heat and Radiation Exposure
Welding involves high temperatures, and direct contact with hot metal, molten slag, or sparks can cause severe burns to the skin.
It also processes and emits intense light, including ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation. Prolonged exposure without proper protection can cause skin burns, eye injuries, and long-term eye damage.
Fumes and Gases
Inhaling welding fumes, mainly from materials like zinc, can lead to metal fume fever, which causes symptoms like fever, chills, nausea, and coughing. Respiratory issues like asthma, bronchitis, and other lung diseases can also occur.
Welding fumes can contain harmful substances like manganese, cadmium, chromium, and nickel. When inhaled, these can have long-term health effects on the lungs, kidneys, nervous system, and other organs.
Electric Shock
The wrong use of live welding equipment can lead to electric shock, causing injuries ranging from minor shocks to severe burns or even death.
Sudden exposure to a welding arc, especially without proper protection, can cause arc flash injuries, resulting in burns to the skin and eyes.
Fire and Explosion
Welding sparks, slag, or hot metal can ignite flammable materials like clothing, gasses, or other nearby objects, leading to fires or explosions.
Chemical Hazards
Improper handling of chemicals used in welding processes (like cleaning agents or fluxes) can result in skin irritation, chemical burns, or respiratory irritation. Besides that, some welding-related chemicals can be toxic if absorbed through the skin or inhaled, leading to adverse health effects.
Noise Exposure
Another factor that affects welders is loud noises, which, over time, can cause hearing loss if proper hearing protection is not used. Welders are exposed to up to 85 decibels of noise every time they perform their job.
Physical Hazards
Failure to wear proper eye protection (welding helmets, goggles) can result in eye injuries like welder's flash or even permanent damage due to intense UV light exposure.
Molten metal or sparks can cause severe burns if they come in contact with unprotected skin.
Other Hazards
Welders must often be in elevated locations of the building structure with low space to move. Over time, those conditions can lead workers to develop musculoskeletal disorders by an improper welding posture and repeated movements, causing chronic pain and injuries.
Also, working in confined spaces or areas with inadequate ventilation can deplete oxygen levels, resulting in dizziness, nausea, and even unconsciousness.
A lot of the disorders and illnesses that a welder can get are not caused by one incident that prevents them from working but by a continuous work environment with improper protection equipment and lack of training.
Legal Process on Welding Accidents
All workers, including those in the construction industry, must have workers' compensation insurance coverage from their employers. This insurance allows them to file claims whenever an accident occurs and they get injured.
The great benefit is that they can receive the compensation without proving that someone else was negligent. You have to notify your supervisor about the accident. Remember that you should inform the accident within 30 days after it happened; after that, you have up to 1 year to file a claim and receive compensation.
The monetary compensation you may receive from this coverage can be for medical bills, part of lost wages if you could not work during your recovery time, transportation costs, and, in some cases, disability.
That is the first option, but it's not the only one. It is true that when filing a workers' comp claim, you waive the possibility of filing a personal injury lawsuit against your employer, but that does not prevent you from filing a personal injury lawsuit against any third party that may have been involved in the causes of your accident.
Anyone who contributed to your accident may be found liable, and you could recover compensation. It is advisable to seek help from a welding accident lawyer so you can be sure who can be liable and how to proceed with a claim based on the circumstances of your accident.
What Are Welding Injuries?
Welding constitutes a profession replete with inherent risks. Should an unfortunate welding incident occur within a New York City construction site, the resulting injuries can be profound, encompassing a spectrum of critical consequences, namely:
- Burns that extend beyond superficial harm.
- Instances of Welder's Flash are characterized by intense ocular discomfort.
- Exposure to electrical shocks necessitates immediate medical attention.
- Manifestation of grievous lung, cerebral, and neural impairments.
- Potentially increased susceptibility to Parkinson's disease due to prolonged exposure.
- Trauma to ocular structures results in severe eye injuries.
- Loss of limbs is a grievous outcome with far-reaching repercussions.
- Tragic occurrences of wrongful death result in profound emotional and legal complexities.
In the event of enduring a welding-related mishap within the confines of New York City, it is prudent to engage the services of our proficient personal injury attorneys promptly.
We specialize in navigating the confusing landscape of such cases, offering you astute guidance and legal representation. During an initial consultation, we shall meticulously evaluate your circumstances, elucidate your legal entitlements, and address any inquiries.
You do not have to worry about paying any cent when you get a review of your case from The Ward Law Group; we commit to not charging you until we deliver a positive result.
We commit to assisting you during this challenging situation. Feel free to contact our respected legal team without delay.
Your well-being and pursuit of justice remain paramount, and we stand prepared to champion your cause.
Construction Site Safety Regulations and Welding in the Bronx
OSHA's Welding, Cutting, and Brazing
There are standards for these activities for general industry, maritime, and construction. On OSHA's website, you may find an entire section highlighting the standards that must be followed and documents relating to welding, cutting, and brazing.
There is also another section that provides information about the hazards and solutions.
Here, it addresses how many hazards, such as burns, eye damage, electrical shock, cuts, and crushed toes and fingers, can be controlled with proper work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Welding Accidents Lawyer in The Bronx
The Ward Law Group is a law firm specializing in personal injury. Our team of personal injury lawyers addresses each specific scenario in which a person might get injuries ranging from minor to severe.
We commit to providing high-level representation to those people who are at a disadvantage. The Bronx's Hispanic community faces challenges with laws due to language barriers.
We understand how frustrating it can be, so we have a multi-language team that can build solid ground to file personal injury lawsuits and get fair compensation for you.
The Ward Law Group has helped the community for 12 years, achieving successful careers and winning large settlements for clients.
We do not charge anything unless we bring positive outcomes to you. We will work tirelessly for you.
Contact us at 855-DOLOR-55 or through our online chat and get the answers you need directly from a specialized welding accident attorney.