Burns And Exposure To Heat

Burns are one of the most common injuries in welding. The temperature of a welding arc can reach 6000 degrees Celsius. The intense ultraviolet and infra-red rays can be harmful to both the welder and anyone else nearby. Burns occur frequently on hands and other exposed skin, but also in eyes from sparks and metal fragments. The symptoms of exposure to this level of heat are similar to extreme sunburn.

Persons with management or control of plant must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that any pipe or other part of the plant associated with heat or cold is guarded or insulated so that the plant is without risks to the health and safety of any person.

Control measures to protect from burns:

− isolate workers from coming into contact with hot work pieces, for example carry out post-weld heat 
   treatment in areas where work pieces cannot be accidently touched
− mark or label as ‘hot’ equipment, metals, plates or items likely to be hot in the welding area to minimise 
   accidental burns, and
− avoid contact with heated surfaces by using thermal insulating materials and wearing PPE.

Heat

Welding can often produce heat at a level that creates an uncomfortable and hazardous working environment.

Exposure to extreme heat is particularly hazardous when working outdoors in direct sunlight, on hot days and in confined spaces. Working in a hot environment can cause heat rash, heat stress, heat stroke and result in permanent injury or death. Heat stress is a serious medical condition, can occur gradually and has a range of symptoms. While discomfort, dehydration and sweating can be easily noticed by a worker, symptoms such as lack of concentration, fatigue, lethargy and confusion are less noticeable.

Wearing PPE can also restrict air movement and sweat evaporation which can make a worker’s immediate environment hot.

Workers should be familiar with safe working practices in order to avoid exposure to extreme heat. For example, when working with a plasma arc, workers should keep away from the torch tip and not grip materials near the cutting path.

Control measures to protect from the effects of heat:

− ventilate work areas to reduce the build-up of heat in the workplace, and
− workers should drink cool drinking water and take regular scheduled rest breaks.

Further information is available in the Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities and the Guide for managing the risks of working in heat.