Safety Checks and Precautions in Maritime Welding

Welding is a vital process in the maritime industry and shipbuilding. It produces watertight joints, which are essential in the industry. However, welding is also dangerous and requires skilled workers trained in safety procedures. Safety checks, precautions, and proper training and equipment keep maritime welders safe.

How Is Welding Used in the Maritime Industry?

Welding is essential to shipbuilding. It is known as a hot process and involves heating metals to melt and fuse them together. There are three types of welding most often used in shipbuilding:

• Arc welding uses an electrode to pass an arc of electric current over a metal plate. The heat from the arc melts and fuses the metal and the electrode. Arc welding is the most common type of welding used in shipbuilding and includes specific subtypes.
• Gas welding uses gas flames, like acetylene, to melt and join metals.
• Resistance welding uses a current along with pressure to merge two materials.

In shipbuilding, welding creates the structure of the vessel. It fuses steel components to form the vessel with watertight joints. Welders can also make vessels resistant to corrosion by using specific materials.

Welders also work on smaller components. They use welding to install some of the systems within a vessel, like plumbing and electrical systems. Of course, welding is also used to make repairs to ships.

Welding is also vital to work done on offshore oil and gas rigs and platforms. Welding creates these structures but is also used to make repairs, including fixes underwater. Underwater welding is a unique and highly technical welding specialty.

What Are the Dangers of Maritime Welding?

Welding is a skilled profession that requires training to perform correctly and safely. Some of the main dangers of welding are:

• Fire
• Burns
• Electrical shock
• Toxic fume inhalation
• Vision or hearing loss
• Radiation exposure

Indirect dangers of welding include the consequences of poor practices. If the welding is not done correctly or safely, the integrity of the ship and its equipment can be compromised. This could lead to later accidents and injuries on board.

Underwater welding is particularly dangerous. These workers face risks of drowning, hypothermia, and decompression sickness from working in the water. Shocks are also possible underwater.

Safety Equipment Used in Welding

Welders in any industry rely on safety gear to protect them from gases, high temperatures, radiation, and electricity. These are essential pieces of safety equipment used by maritime and other welders:

• Helmet and Eye Protection. Welders wear a helmet with side protection and often a fireproof hood. The helmet and hood protect against exposure to radiation, heat, and debris. Welding helmets include eye protection, but many welders also wear goggles under their helmets for additional protection.
• Fireproof Clothing. Fire is a serious risk in welding. Clothing that resists fire protects workers from heat and burns. Welding gloves are insulated. Shoes have rubber soles for protection against electric shocks and steel toes to protect against falling objects.
• Ventilation. Some welders work outdoors or in ventilated areas. Maritime welders often work in small spaces without good ventilation. They need respirators to prevent them from inhaling toxic fumes and particles.
• Ear Protection. Welding tools are often very loud, which can lead to hearing loss over time. Welders wear proper ear protection to reduce the decibel level as it enters the ear. Many also wear fire-resistant earmuffs.

What Safety Checks Do Welders Make Before Working?

Training and safety gear are essential for reducing risks in maritime welding. Also important is performing regular safety checks. These checks are especially necessary when welding to repair a vessel in operation. Fires and injuries on a ship at sea are more difficult to manage and can have worse consequences than those that occur on land.

Current Type

Welders can usually choose between a machine that delivers AC (alternating) current or DC (direct) current. AC current is typical in most electrical systems, but it is more dangerous in the event of an electric shock. AC travels more readily through the entire body. When possible, welders on ships should use a machine that takes in AC current from the ship’s electrical system and outputs DC current.

Current Frequency and Voltage

Welding machines also manipulate voltage, reducing it to safe levels for welders to work with. Before beginning work, welders on ships should check that the available machine complies with the recommended guidelines for this voltage. They should also check for frequency. High-frequency welding machines can interfere with equipment on the ship and compromise safety.

Return Cable

The return cable on a welding machine is part of the circuit and carries electricity. It can be dangerous if it is placed too close to parts of the ship that could become electrified, especially if the cable is not adequately insulated. The return cable should be placed as close to the welding machine as possible to minimize this risk.

Personal Work Practices

After checking equipment, onboard welders should also ensure they are prepared and outfitted for safe personal work practices:

• Wear all appropriate safety gear, including rubber-soled shoes for protection from the return cable.
• Ensure clothing and gloves are dry before working.
• Do not work in an area that is wet.
• Use insulated electrode holders.
• Ensure cables are in good condition and not worn or damaged.
• Repair or replace any damaged equipment before working.
• Ensure fire extinguishers are nearby.
• Keep equipment off when not working.

Welding in any environment can be dangerous. In the maritime industry, risks are exacerbated by water, enclosed spaces, and other factors. If you work in the industry, you should be properly trained and provided with safety equipment. Make safety checks and take all precautions before starting every job to avoid accidents and injuries.