The Pros And Cons Of Pipeline Welding

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Many people may enjoy the smell of burning metal fumes but i most certainly do not!? This can be one of many problems when one is pipeline welding. I should do welding manufacturing over pipeline welding. Pipeline welding has many more disadvantages than welding manufacturing has on my body, social, and family life. What is welding some may ask. “Welding is the use of brazing or soldering to join together or split apart pieces of metal.” Says miller electric inc. The First recorded forms of welding was from the bronze age when metal boxes were made by “pressure welding lap joints together.” In medieval times welding was used by hammer to forge weapons of different types. “It was actually not until the late 1800’s that traditional welding …show more content…

Pipe welding is a career that does not require any college education but keep in mind this type of work is definitely no walk in the park. Pipeline rigs are typically located in rural areas, so pipeline welders often have to travel to reach the work site (Browne). Pipe welders are required to work through all types of weather in regard to the season and where you are stationed (Browne) To Begin pipe welding one usually must pass a welding exam and safety test for proper certification (Dye). In my opinion pipe welding can be an extremely discomforting occupation, because they normally spend long periods of time away from families; often several months at a time. One big factor that plays a role on this key point is the different fumes that can be inhaled. Between a combination of welding fumes such as argon, carbon, tungsten, and when welding stainless steel I may also have to worry about chromium. All of these different fumes can cause many health problems later down the road such as lung problems (AFSCME). We have been living in a generation with retired welders in their 50’s and 60’s who have an extremely high increase in medical problems due to their careers as welders (BOC). “Sometimes one may receive specific warnings after breathing or inhaling different fumes. For instance if enough zinc fumes are inhaled expect to experience metal fume fever; symptoms may include night sweats, chills, and stomach pains” …show more content…

There are jobs everywhere for welding, however how much you would like to make depends on where you are willing to work at. In my home town of Streator one of the main welding manufacturing shops is vactor which majority of our residents work in. Entry level wage for welders is typically $17/hr or higher. Welding can be very hard on the body when safety precautions are not taken. All welders should wear safety equipment such as: safety goggles, welding mask with proper shade, gloves, flame retardant jacket, pants, boots, and a welding cap. The purpose is to ensure the safety of the welder and those around him. Safety precautions are not only taken by the welders but also the supervisors and managers. It is their job to manage the exhaust in shops by law, many welding shops have ventilation systems installed just like the one in our welding shop. There are ways around not having a ventilation system; for example vactor workers carry specialized venting systems built into their welding masks. Many of the health problems older welders face down the road could 've been prevented if they would have took the proper safety precautions when they were younger. The most common welding process used in welding manufacturing is mig, the reason being it is fast and efficient. Mig also leaves far less spatter so it makes for cleaner welds (Petkovsek). Welding manufacturing is also safer because workers are not

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