Welding Accidents

Welding, Soldering and Brazing Accidents Are Leading Causes of Injury to New York Construction Workers

According to Howard Raphaelson, partner in the New York welding injury law firm of Raphaelson & Levine, the skilled men and women who do this type work are often exposed to any number of hazards, the most common of which are contact with very hot materials and exposure to intense light generated by the cutting tool that is used to melt and fuse pieces of metal together.

For these reasons, Raphaelson explained, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has put many safety regulations in place to protect workers from on-the-job injuries to avoid these construction accident cases.

"For example," he said, "welders, solderers and brazers are required to wear safety shoes, and masks with protective lenses designed to prevent burns and injuries to the eye, and blindness."

Raphaelson said that OSHA also requires welders to work in properly ventilated rooms and areas to minimize inhalation of gases and particulates that can result from welding processes.

"Unlike automated welding environments," Raphaelson said, "such as automobile manufacturing plants where assembly line workers are not exposed to as many dangers, welders on construction sites rarely, if ever, use automated machines and are sometimes required to work in confined areas where special precautions must be taken by the building owner, contractor, or builder to prevent injuries to workers."

Raphaelson explained that at times the job calls for welders and cutters on construction sites to work outdoors, often in inclement weather, or on a scaffold or platform high off the ground. Welders are also very often required to lift heavy objects and work in a variety of awkward positions while bending, stooping, or standing to perform work overhead.

"Fatigue can also be a factor that causes an injury," Raphaelson said. "Although about 50 percent of welders, solderers, and brazers work a 40-hour week" Raphaelson said, "overtime is common, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 1 out of 5 welders works 50 hours per week or more."

If you feel you've been injured as a result of neglect for workplace safety by a contractor, developer, or some other on-site third-party vendor, please contact the New York welding injury law firm of Raphaelson & Levine for a free consultation. By calling the telephone number listed above, or by filling out the "Legal Assistance" form on our website, you can speak with one of our experienced New York welding injury attorneys immediately.