Why is underwater welding so dangerous? That’s a question you might ask when considering this exciting career, but it’s also one a lot of people are probably asking.
You probably think that underwater welding is incredibly dangerous, and why would anyone want to do it? If you have ever heard a long list of how dangerous it is, you probably wondered why this type of work is still done at all.
Let’s take a look at some of the dangers that come with underwater welding. In this article, I explore some factors that make underwater welding incredibly hazardous but also the exciting and rewarding solutions for those who find themselves in this risky occupation.
Why is Underwater Welding so Dangerous?
Underwater welding is dangerous because it’s hard to see what you’re doing, and the water can get in your eyes. It’s also difficult to breathe underwater, which can lead to oxygen deprivation and drowning. It’s also dangerous because it often involves working in hazardous conditions.
In addition to these two big risks, there are many other dangers associated with underwater welding.
For example, if you hit your head on the bottom of the water or some other hard object while working, it could cause brain damage or even death.
If a fire occurs while underwater welding, there is nowhere for the smoke to go except up into your face (since there is no air down there!).
And if your equipment malfunctions while you’re underwater, you could be left without any oxygen at all—which would definitely cause death very quickly.
It’s not all the risks associated with underwater welding; keep reading to know about major risks associated with underwater welding along with safety precautions.
Is Underwater Welding the Most Dangerous Job?
Underwater welding is a dangerous job in the world, but with a few safety measures and precautions, you can minimize your danger risk.
Underwater welding is a job that takes place underwater, at great depths, and it’s hard to imagine a more dangerous occupation than that.
There are many dangers associated with underwater welding, including drowning and other accidents related to being underwater.
In addition, the equipment used by underwater welders must be specifically designed for this type of work.
For example, there are flotation devices that help keep the welder’s head above water while he or she works.
These flotation devices must be very reliable so that they don’t fail during an emergency situation where their use might be necessary (such as an earthquake).
In addition to these safety concerns, underwater welders must also deal with poor visibility due to poor lighting conditions (which can cause eye strain), limited mobility due to restrictive diving suits worn while working underwater (which can lead to muscle fatigue), and other environmental factors such as temperature changes which can cause hypothermia if not properly cared for by trained professionals who understand how best to prevent such problems from occurring in the first place.
How Dangerous is Underwater Welding? 6 Common Dangers
When you’re underwater, you’re surrounded by water. The entire world is water. You can’t see it, but it’s there—all around you.
There are dangers that lurk in the deep, and they can be deadly if you don’t know what to look out for. The following are these:
1. Electrical Shock Danger:
Electric shock is the most common danger of underwater welding. This can result from a broken wire or faulty equipment, but it can also occur when a person’s body gets too close to an energized object.
Electric shock is caused by voltage levels that are too high for the human body to withstand. It usually occurs when you touch something that has an electrical current running through it.
The symptoms of electric shock depend on how much electricity passes through your body and what part of your body is affected.
For example, if you get shocked by touching a high-voltage power line, it could cause muscle contractions or paralysis and even cardiac arrest.
2. Underwater Burst Danger:
Underwater explosions are one of the most dangerous risks associated with underwater welding. Explosions can occur when flammable materials or gases are accidentally released into the air or if oxygen is introduced into an area where it shouldn’t be. These explosions can cause damage to equipment and injure humans working nearby.
Underwater explosions can also cause fires in pipelines, which can potentially lead to larger problems such as oil spills and environmental damage.
This is especially true if de-icing fluid is involved in the explosion since this fluid contains hydrocarbons that could affect marine life if released into the ocean.
If you’re looking for a job in the underwater welding industry but are worried about how dangerous it may be, then I recommend considering taking some safety training courses before starting work at your new job site!
3. Bend Danger:
Underwater welders are at risk of decompression sickness, also known as “the bends.” This condition occurs when a diver’s body absorbs more nitrogen than it can safely metabolize, which can lead to serious illness or death.
The primary cause of decompression sickness is ascending too quickly while underwater (or ascending too quickly after a dive).
The symptoms of decompression sickness include joint pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, increased heart rate, blood pressure, and vomiting. A person experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
4. Drowning Danger:
Drowning is one of the biggest dangers of underwater welding. Because this is such a dangerous job, you need to be prepared for anything. If you are not prepared, and something goes wrong, then there is a high chance that you will drown.
Drowning can happen in multiple ways. First, if you lose your mask or your regulator part way through the job, then you will probably die from drowning.
This is because your body cannot survive without oxygen and when underwater, it takes longer for oxygen from the air to get into your system than on land.
Another way that people drown is by getting trapped under something while underwater welding or cleaning up after an accident on deck or below deck.
5. Freezing Danger:
Freezing is a dangerous side effect of underwater welding that can cause serious injury or death.
Underwater welding involves working in water less than 18 degrees Celsius, which causes the body to lose heat quickly and become hypothermic.
In addition to being uncomfortable, freezing can lead to dangerous health problems like seizures, heart failure, and respiratory arrest.
If you’re working in freezing conditions for an extended period of time, I suggest that you should take extra precautions to avoid freezing, including wearing an insulated jacket and keeping your hands warm with gloves or mittens.
The most common symptoms of freezing include:
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- Difficulty walking
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Chest pain.
6. Environmental Risk Danger:
The next danger of underwater welding is environmental hazards, such as being exposed to chemicals or gases in the water.
The most common type of chemical exposure comes from breathing in hydrogen sulfide gas. This gas smells like rotten eggs and can be found naturally in some bodies of water.
If you are exposed to it for long periods of time, it can cause respiratory problems, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
Another common cause of illness in underwater welders is carbon monoxide poisoning from equipment malfunctioning in enclosed spaces where there is no ventilation. Carbon monoxide poisoning causes headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
Exposure to high levels of noise can also lead to hearing loss over time if precautions are not taken during your work day.
The Risk of Decompression Sickness (DCS)
Decompression sickness (DCS) is an illness caused by the formation of bubbles in the blood, tissues, and body cavities. These bubbles are formed when a diver rises too quickly or ascends too slowly from a dive that is at depth.
The gas pressure inside the body at depth is greater than on the surface. A sudden change in pressure causes nitrogen to come out of the solution as bubbles, resulting in DCS symptoms if you do not make compensation for this change by ascending slowly enough or properly decompressing before surfacing.
Symptoms of DCS range from minor ailments like headaches and joint pain to life-threatening illnesses such as paralysis or stroke, which can be fatal without immediate medical attention. In order to prevent DCS while diving:
- Plan your dive, and dive your plan.
- Use a dive computer that has been specifically programmed for the depth and duration of your dive.
- Take a few minutes to review all the essentials before entering the water: check that you have enough air for both you and your buddy; ensure that all equipment is in working order; make sure everyone knows what signals mean “I’m OK” or “Help!”
- Do not ascend faster than 9 meters per minute or 1 meter per second.
- If you experience symptoms of DCS, ascend slowly and seek medical attention immediately.
The Risks of Working at Depth
When you’re working in depth, there are many things to consider. One of the biggest risks of working underwater is that it’s difficult to see what’s happening around you.
This can make it hard to predict where a hazard may come from or how fast something is moving toward you.
You also need to be careful about how much equipment you bring with you into the water—some pieces of equipment are too heavy for divers who aren’t trained properly and could cause injury or death if they slip off a diver’s back during ascent.
There are three main ways that workers can get injured while underwater:
- Running into obstacles along the way (including other people)
- Being exposed to airborne contaminants like dust particles, which makes them more susceptible
- Lack of oxygen in their bloodstream.
The third is the most serious, and it’s why it’s so important for workers to use SCUBA equipment.
If you’re going to be underwater for more than 20 minutes, you need to make sure that there’s enough oxygen in your bloodstream, or else you could suffer from hypoxia—a condition where there isn’t enough oxygen in the blood. It can cause headaches, nausea, and confusion, among other symptoms.
Precautionary Measures to Follow When Welding Underwater
The risks of underwater welding are real. But with proper precautions, you can minimize the possibility of injury and even death.
Welding underwater is a dangerous job, but I advise you to follow these precautions, so you can keep yourself safe.
| No. | Precautions to Follow |
| 1 | Check for oxygen levels before starting your welding project. If the oxygen level is too low, move to another location or surface immediately. |
| 2 | Use a wet suit that helps protect against burns and other injuries from hot or cold water temperatures. |
| 3 | Use gloves made of neoprene or Kevlar to protect your hands from heat and cold water temperatures. |
| 4 | Wear a helmet to protect your head from injuries caused by falling objects or debris underwater. |
| 5 | Make sure you have a flashlight with extra batteries on hand so that you can see clearly while working underwater without having to worry about running out of power at any moment; this will also allow others nearby to see where they’re going so there isn’t any chance of accidentally bumping into one another (which could cause injury). |
| 6 | Make sure that your equipment is in good condition. This means checking it before every use and making sure it is in good working order. If there are any issues with the equipment, fix them immediately before using them again. |
Final Words!
Why is underwater welding so dangerous? On the surface, underwater welding doesn’t sound very dangerous. The job is hardly ever featured on television or in other news media, so people must not be dying, right?
It’s easy to assume that anyone can simply pick up underwater welding and do it safely. They might be right as long as they’re trained professionals capable of handling their equipment properly and with precision.
Those who dive underwater for a living go through training to keep them safe and to make sure that underwater welds are done correctly.
Before you decide that you want to be an underwater welder, take in all of the information about this field and what it entails.
FAQs:
What is the most dangerous part of underwater welding?
The most dangerous part of underwater welding is electrocution. Since the work area is submerged under water, the electrical current becomes extremely hazardous, which can cause severe injury or death if proper precautions are not taken.
Do underwater welders get attacked?
Underwater welders are exposed to numerous hazards in the course of their work, including drowning, electric shock and burn injuries, overexposure to dangerous chemicals, heavy impact injuries, and amputation or crushing injuries.
What is the life expectancy of an underwater welder?
Underwater welding has a mortality rate of 8 to 13 deaths in a year, especially if the diver is working in cold water temperatures. The life expectancy for an underwater welder is dependent on many factors, such as health and training, along with the amount of time spent working at depth and overall performance.
