Welding joins pieces of metal by the use of heat and/or pressure. Welding is one of the most dangerous industrial activities in Pennsylvania. Among the dangers of welding are toxic fumes, fire, electric shock, compressed gases, and injury to the eyes, hands, feet, and body. Welding requires an enormous degree of concentration and precautionary measures because the risks of personal injury from any mistake are exceptionally high.

Scientific research has discovered the danger of the toxic fumes associated with welding. Fumes are a natural by-product of welding, and are expected from even simple welding projects. Even elementary welding work should require the use of respiratory protection or be done somewhere will good ventilation. Simple operations lead to fumes like nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone.

Even more precaution must be taken if you are welding metal products containing zinc, copper, cadmium, chromium, manganese, fluoride, lead, or vanadium, because the resulting fumes can cause a condition known as metal-fume fever. Another serious concern is working with metal that has been painted over. Many paints used to coat metal are lead based, which is a carcinogen. Exposure to welding smoke has serious short-term and long-term health effects and often causes damage to the lungs, heart, kidney, and central nervous system.

If you or a loved one have been injured or killed by welding rod fumes in a Pennsylvania, please fill out the form on your left for a free case review by a Pennsylvania construction accident lawyer.