The welding of wrought iron is sometimes promoted as an activity for any old do-it-yourselfer but this is both an incorrect and somewhat dangerous idea to promote. Every type of welding comes with inherent risks and each should only be performed by people who’ve been properly trained. Why anyone would think wrought iron welding is easier or safer than any other type of welding remains a bit of a mystery, but the idea is out there, like sugar in the gas tank of logic, and so it needs to be addressed. In this post we’ll talk about why wrought iron welding in Toronto should be left to the pros.
Wrought Iron Welding in Toronto: More Than a Hobby
There are a number of different processes that can be applied to wrought iron welding in Toronto. These include seam, spot, thermite, forge, oxyacetylene and more. All of them however, carry risks and these risks should never be minimized. The most common welding injuries occur to the eyes, ears and nose.
- Eye injuries include welder’s flash, flash burn and arc eye and can result in intense pain, cataracts and worse.
- Ear injuries are caused by airborne debris penetrating the canals of the ear and attacking the soft tissue within. Hearing loss is not uncommon.
- Inhaling chemicals and particles resulting from the welding process can lead to Welder’s Parkinson’s which is debilitating illness with no known cure. Disorientation from inhaling toxic fumes is also common and many inexperienced or poorly trained welders develop chronic respiratory disease.
The Importance of Protective Gear
Unfortunately many DIYers who’ve been convinced by some unaccountable writer on the Internet that welding is a fun, safe pastime wear little more than their standard weekend casual wear when they spark up the welder and wind up paying a terrible cost.
- Hot sparks rain down on their unprotected arms or come to rest on their cotton shirt and quickly burn through.
- Others don’t wear appropriate boots and wind up with hot sparks in their shoes which can be extremely painful.
- Some neglect to wear flame-resistant gloves and pay an awful price in cuts and burns. Others suffer heavy electric shocks.
- Still others neglect to use side shields on their helmets exposing their eyes to damaging arc rays and hot particles that fly through the air.
Professional welders are also fully aware of the larger environment in which they’re working. Something DIYers often overlook. Working in confined spaces calls for extra care and mindfulness. Proper maintenance of the work area is also crucial as tripping and falling while welding could lead to serious injury. A pro will also take time to inspect their equipment thoroughly before beginning.
The Bottom Line
Wrought iron welding in Toronto is not like re-facing your kitchen cabinets or hanging a door. Welding is serious business which, if not performed correctly, can lead to debilitating injuries that change the course of your life. It’s just not worth the risk. Instead leave it to Pro Weld and rest easy knowing it’s done right.
