There are many causes of injury in the welding field. Common causes of injury are repetitive gripping, twisting, repetitive reaching, and fatigue. Many injuries are developed when there is a mismatch between the capabilities of the worker and the demands of the job. These injuries are called Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.
Welders may be exposed to physical workplace risk factors or ergonomicsstressors. If the tasks are being performed repeatedly over long period of time they can lead to fatigue, discomfort and injury. The main physical workplace risk factors ergonomicsstressors associated with the development of a work-related musculoskeletal injury’s from welding tasks like awkward body postures, heavy lifting and static position.
Professional welders will tell you that welding is a highly skilled profession that takes many years to perfect. Welding is a task that requires the welder to maintain static postures for long periods of time. Welding in the field requires the welder to adapt to the workplace, instead of adapting the work place adapting to the welder. That’s because metal is heavy and it is for the welder to work in a awkward posture than it is to move a building. Welding is hot work and there are a lot of metal fumes that can contain harmful metals. The use of ergonomic can improve the way a task is performed, reducing the welder’s exposure to risk of injury. This makes for a healthier work place, improved morale, better productivity and better product quality. Always try to work in a comfortable body position, use tools or another person to help lift heavy objects to avoid injury in the work place .