Kenny Habetz Injury Law | December 12, 2024 | Maritime Accidents
Trade jobs like welding offer an attractive career path for those uninterested in pursuing a college degree, with on-the-job training through an apprenticeship that allows you to earn while you learn. Those who specialize in underwater welding stand to make a good living working in marine construction, shipbuilding and repair, or offshore oil and gas.
On average, an entry-level underwater welder’s salary ranges from $60,000 to $80,000 per year, with experienced professionals earning over six figures annually. Saturation work, or living in pressurized underwater conditions on a job site, could lead to more money, as could working at certain depths.
Is underwater welding dangerous? Unfortunately, maritime injuries are a genuine concern when working underwater, as is the potential for death should something go wrong. What are the most common dangers associated with underwater welding?
How Dangerous Is Underwater Welding?
Underwater welding entails risks related to both diving and welding. Diving alone could potentially subject workers to hypothermia and decompression sickness. When electrical and explosive elements are added to the mix, the risks of catastrophic injuries and death increase. How do people die from underwater welding?
Drowning
Working in an environment devoid of oxygen creates a significant risk of death. Although underwater welders must undergo dive training and certification, accidents can still happen.
Risks for drowning are heightened by factors like:
- Dive depth
- Strong currents
- Low visibility in murky water
- Unexpected obstructions or unstable terrain
- Encounters with marine life
- Weather conditions on the surface
- Equipment failure
Even experienced divers may encounter challenging conditions that impact their ability to reach the surface before they run out of air.
Underwater Explosions
Hydrogen and oxygen are two gases common to underwater welding, and both can be flammable. If a pocket of gas develops, the heat of an arc can cause it to combust. Sparks could also ignite other fuel stored in offshore rigs or other work environments. These accidents are rare, but they can be deadly.
Risk of Electrocution
Most people understand that water and electricity don’t play well together. For example, if you’re in a car accident in wet conditions and power lines are down, you know you shouldn’t get out of the car because water is a powerful conductor of electricity. It doesn’t take much imagination to recognize the dangers of using electrical welding equipment in an underwater environment.
Toxic Gas Inhalation
Hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide are common in welding. Inert gases may be used to create a safe environment for welders working in poorly ventilated areas of ships or oil rigs or hyperbaric chambers used for dry welding underwater. However, there’s always the possibility of poisoning from inhaling toxic welding gases.
The Mortality Rate of Underwater Welders
This profession is considered very dangerous, with an underwater welder death rate of 15%. It is estimated that one in 20 underwater divers will die on the job within 10 years.
Protect Your Interests Following an Underwater Welding Accident
Whether you’re an underwater welder involved in a marine construction accident or you’ve lost a loved one to drowning or electrocution, you have options to seek compensation for injuries or death. When maritime workers die on the job, their families may be eligible for death benefits through the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
In such cases, you may need to contact a qualified attorney to fight for fair compensation for injuries or wrongful death.
Contact the Lafayette Maritime Accidents Law Firm Of Kenny Habetz Injury Law for Help Today
If you’ve been injured in Louisiana, please call Kenny Habetz Injury Law for a free case evaluation with a Lafayette maritime accident lawyer or contact us online.
Kenny Habetz Injury Law – Lafayette
110 E Kaliste Saloom Rd Ste 101 Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 399-9000
Kenny Habetz Injury Law – Crowley
604 S Parkerson Ave. Crowley, LA 70526
(337) 329-8883
