Description of the Profession and the Process by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Welding is the most common way of permanently joining metal parts. In this process, heat is applied to metal pieces, melting and fusing them to form a permanent bond. Because of its strength, welding is used in shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing and repair, aerospace applications, and thousands of other manufacturing activities. Welding also is used to join beams when constructing buildings, bridges, and other structures, and to join pipes in pipelines, power plants, and refineries.
Welders use many types of welding equipment set up in a variety of positions, such as flat, vertical, horizontal, and overhead. They may perform manual welding, in which the work is entirely controlled by the welder, or semiautomatic welding, in which the welder uses machinery, such as a wire feeder, to perform welding tasks.
Arc welding is the most common type of welding. Standard arc welding involves two large metal alligator clips that carry a strong electrical current. One clip is attached to any part of the workpiece being welded. The second clip is connected to a thin welding rod. When the rod touches the workpiece, a powerful electrical circuit is created. The massive heat created by the electrical current causes both the workpiece and the steel core of the rod to melt together, cooling quickly to form a solid bond. During welding, the flux that surrounds the rod’s core vaporizes, forming an inert gas that serves to protect the weld from atmospheric elements that might weaken it. Welding speed is important. Variations in speed can change the amount of flux applied, weakening the weld, or weakening the surrounding metal by increasing heat exposure.
Two common but advanced types of welding are Gas Tungsten Arc (TIG) and Gas Metal Arc (MIG) welding. TIG welding often is used with stainless steel or aluminum. While TIG uses welding rods, MIG uses a spool of continuously fed wire, which allows the welder to join longer stretches of metal without stopping to replace the rod. In TIG welding, the welder holds the welding rod in one hand and an electric torch in the other hand. The torch is used to simultaneously melt the rod and the workpiece. In MIG welding, the welder holds the wire feeder, which functions like the alligator clip in arc welding. Instead of using gas flux surrounding the rod, TIG and MIG protect the initial weld from the environment by blowing inert gas onto the weld.
The Problem: A welding rod in its solid state is not a hazard, however, when used as it is intended, to fuse metals, it becomes very dangerous. The issue is the manganese within the rod becomes ambient. The welding rods do not carry a proper warning label, combined with the lack of proper ventilation provided by employers, this product is potentially deadly. The fumes have been linked to Parkinson's disease and many other health impairments.
If you feel that you have been injured due to welding rod fumes or due to the negligence of another, whether an employer or an employee, please fill out the welding rod injury form provided below and an attorney will review your claim.
Free Welding Rods Consultation
Personal Information:
Date of Birth / Age:
(ex. mm/dd/yyyy or 54)
Are you inquiring for yourself?
Yes No
If not, who are you
inquiring on behalf of?
If you are NOT inquiring on your own behalf,
what is your relationship to the injured person?
Is the person deceased?
Yes No
If deceased, what is the cause of death
as stated on the death certificate:
Date of Death:
(ex. mm/dd/yyyy)
Was an autopsy performed?
Yes No
If not deceased, does the
injury prevent you or the
victim from working?
Yes No
If yes, when did you/victim stop working?
What is the approximate lost wages
due to the injury?
Symptom Information:
How long were you a welder for? years
What were the
dates of exposure?*
Begin:
End:
City where you worked:
*
State where you worked:
*
What types of welding have you done before?
(Ex. MIG, TIG, Steel, Alloy, Other)
What BRANDS and TYPES of welding rods do you remember using?
Have you experienced any of the following symptoms?
Please check all that apply:
Tremors in any extremity?
Yes No
If yes, please explain:
Rigidity in hands, arms,
legs, or upper body?
Yes No
If yes, please explain:
Gait (Walking) Disturbances?
Yes No
If yes, please explain:
Facial Effects?
Yes No
If yes, please explain:
Speech Disorders?
Yes No
If yes, please explain:
Sexual Dysfunction?
Yes No
If yes, please explain:
Other Symptoms?
Yes No
If you have any medical problems that you feel
may be related, please explain:
Have you ever had an
MRI of the brain?
Yes No
Have you ever received medical
care for any of your symptoms?
Yes No
Have you been diagnosed with any of the following conditions?
Manganism
Manganese Toxicity
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinsons-Like Syndrome
Parkinsonism
Other Neurological Disease
What was the date of diagnosis?
Case Description*
Please explain exactly what happened, trying to state
as thoroughly as possible who you believe was responsible
and why you believe that person was negligent:
Please explain the full extent of the victims injuries:
Comments / Additional Information
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understanding the facts of your case?
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