Welding articles, editorials and views from the field

Unprotected Welding? It’s Not Worth It

Without Masks, Fumes Cause Brain Damage   A series of cases at the Mayo Clinic has identified that damage to the brain can occur from manganese fumes produced during welding. All of the welder patients with neurological complaints shared one thing in common: inadequate ventilation (www.mayoclinic.com).   Symptoms varied, but multiple warning signs developed over time, including cognitive problems, headaches and tremor in six of the...

Welders Have a Secret Bargaining Chip

Old Law of Supply and Demand   What helps boost any profession’s pay? That’s easy: a big demand but a shortage of available workers. Welding’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do...

Take This Job and Submerge It: When Welding Goes Underwater

Welders, have you thought about super-sizing your career and taking it undersea? The American Welding Society of Miami, Florida (www.aws.org) has a lot of mesmerized spectators when they do...