Unsafe Practices Greatly Affects the Health of the Welders during Welding

Performance in Practical Work Area

A Phenomenology Study

In Partial Fulfillment in Practical Research II

Batucan, Aimee Beb

Ganade, Baby Jean

Herbolingo, Hiede

Leones, Diana Rose

Logrono, Sherilyn

Villahermosa, Alliah

March 2018
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter I: Introduction ……………………………………………………………. 1

Statement of the problem………………………………………………….. 2

Research Question………………………………………………………… 2

Objectives of the study……………………………………………………. 2

Significance of the study………………………………………………….. 2

Research Hypothesis……………………………………………………… 3

Scope and Delimitations………………………………………………….. 3

Definition of Terms……………………………………………………….. 3

Chapter II: Review of Related Literature................................................................ 4

Theoretical Framework ………………………………………………….. 5

Conceptual Framework………………………………………………….. 6

Chapter III: Methodology………………………………………………………… 7

Method Used……………………………………………………………. . 7

The Respondents of the study…………………………………………… 7

Research Instrument……………………………………………………... 7-8

Data gathering procedure……………………………………………….. 8-9

Statistical treatment of the data…………………………………………. . 10-

14

Chapter IV: Presentation, Analysis and Findings……………………………….. 15

Conclusion and Recommendation ………………………………………. 15-

16
 ABSTRACT

Welding is a very common operation in many industries and workplace.

According to the American Welding Society it is defined as “A metal joining process

wherein coalescence is produced by heating to suitable temperature with or without

the use of filler metal”. Welding operators face various hazards resulting in different

injuries, adverse, health effects, discomfort and even death.

1. This research investigates the different unsafe practices and health issues

that is done and experienced by the welders during welding performance in

practical work area. The respondents of this study involves 20 welders, all

males, specifically it sought to answer the following questions. What are the

different unsafe practices done by welders during welding?, What are the

different health issues experienced by welders during welding?, and Is there

significant relationship between unsafe practices of welders during welding

and the health issues that experienced during welding?. The statistical tool of

our study is percentage and phi, were percentage this is the statistical tool in

order to determine the different unsafe practices done by welders and health

issues. And phi this is the statistical tool in order to determine the relationship

between the unsafe practices and health issues. As the result the unsafe

practices done by welders during welding performance is not wearing

mask/head shield with a percentage of 94.74% and the health issue experience

by the welders during welding is burns with a percentage of 85.00%. The

benefit of this study is to secure the safety of the construction workers and

especially to the welders. It is important to observe the proper practices in

construction site specially when it comes wearing of PPE. Our research

explains our concerns about the health of the welders and to show that our

degree plan will help many people to have better environment for the

beneficiary of the infrastructure in the future. Through this research we

observed the actual performance of the welders of some particular area and

how responsible the welders are in any ways that can prevent from any

danger.
 DEDICATION

-Aimee Beb

In this remarkable study I dedicate this to my parent for always supporting me in my

every step along this journey.

-Baby Jean

In this remarkable study I dedicate this dissertation to my family, friends, church

family and specially to our almighty God who have supported me throughout the

process and giving strength. I will always appreciate all they have done.

-Hiede

In this remarkable study I would like to dedicate this study to our almighty God who

have given us strength to finish our study, and to my family who are not tired for

supporting me for the completion of this study.

-Diana Rose

In this remarkable study I dedicate this dissertation to my family who have supported

me financially.

-Shirelyn

I dedicate my dissertation work to my family and many friends. A special feeling of

gratitude to my loving parent whose words of encouragement and push for tenacity ring

in my ears.
-Alliah

In this remarkable study I dedicate this project to God Almighty my creator, my strong

pillar, my source of inspiration, wisdom, knowledge and understanding. He has been

the source of my strength throughout this program and on His wings only have I

soared.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to express our greatest gratitude to those people we disturb and

exerted their time and efforts to share their expertise. To our almighty God the father

for giving us enough strength and knowledge to finish our Quantitative study and also

for guiding and protecting us. To our Practical Research II, to Ma’am Crisel Suan for

sharing her knowledge to us and guiding us in doing our Research Study. To our

parents for providing us their financial support and for understanding us for we cannot

go home on time. To our Classmates who helped us to answer our questions when it

comes to our difficulties. To our Respondents who spend their available time with us

just to answer our questions. And especially to the person who implement the

Research Study because it is important to know, understand and investigate a small

problem. There are a lot of advantages on making Research Study.

 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

The world is full of 60-year-old who regret not protecting their health when

they were younger. And so it is with the welders. It’s well-documented that many

long-term health problem associated with the profession are preventable. But, because

the causes and incremental effects can be invisible, literally, they tend to be ignored,

that is until welders grow older in the impact of that disregard can be ignored no

longer. It turns out those fumes inhaled through the years may cause serious medical

complications. Those noises that didn't seem so loud actually were, potentially

destroying your ability to hear. The parts that didn't seem so heavy may trigger

shoulder problems. The constant kneeling can compound and lead to illness in later

years. The good news is you can reduce the risk of this ailment significantly by

forcing yourself to wake a few sample changes to your daily routine. Our study is all

about the unsafe Practices that can affect the health of the welders during welding in

practical work area. It shows our concerns to the welders because welders are expose
to smoke or shielding gas emitted during the welding process, which may endanger

to their health. The intense heat of the arc or flame vaporizes the base metal and for

the electrode coating. This vaporizes metal condenses into minutes particles called

fumes that can be inhaled all welding processes general fumes, but most fumes are

produced electric arc welding. Michael Ladd, (June 10, 2007)

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study was conducted to determine the significant relationship between the

unsafe practices and health of the welders among Construction Company Workers.

Specifically it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What are the different unsafe practices done by welders during welding?

2. What are the different health issues experienced by welders during welding?

3. Is there a significant relationship between unsafe practices of welders during

welding and the health issues that experience during welding?

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To identify the different unsafe practices done by welders during welding

performance.

2. To assess the identification of health issues experienced by welders in practical

work area.
3. To analyze the relationship of unsafe practices and the health issues of welders

during welding performance in practical work area.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The importance of our study is to make sure that the welders are safe during

their actual performance. The beneficiaries of this study are the welder that has not

proper and complete personal protective equipment. This study refers to the unsafe

practices that can affect the health of welders today and the near future, and to make

sure that the welders could get an idea about our study. This is to secure the health of

the welders so they can benefit from our study, and for them to know the effects of

doing unsafe practices during welding performance. Because welders who ignore

healthy work practices today are putting their long-term health in danger and being

aware of some of the less obvious health hazards can help to ensure healthy living

life.

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

The alternative hypothesis, there is a significant relationship between unsafe

practices and health of the welders.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

This study is limited to the determination of the significant relationship

between the unsafe practices and health of the welders among Construction Company

Workers. It focuses on the unsafe practices that can affect the health of the welders.

The scope of this study is limited to the attitude of the welders during their actual

performance in practical work area, which is a great deal to give attention today in

terms of its effect on health.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Health issues- is the level of functional and metabolic efficiency of a living

organism. In humans it is the ability to the individuals or communities to adopt and

self-manage when facing physical, mental, psychological and social changes with

environment.

2. Practical work area-tasks in which workers observe or manipulate real objects or

materials or they witness a teacher demonstration

3. Unsafe practices- is defined as an occurrence of event or a pattern of repeated

behavior that places the others in jeopardy and/or at an unacceptable level or risk for

physical, psychosocial, emotional harm.

4. Welder- a person who welds, especially as a profession, that uses a welding

machine.

5. Welding performance- the demonstration of a welders or welding operators to

produce welds melting prescribed standards.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Mistry, P. K. J. (2015). Their environment is considered today tend to control,

guide and develop engineering processes affecting both men and environment. The

melting of filler metal, base metal and the coating on base metal during welding

processes and subsequently the gases formed release minute, solid particles into the

air creating a plume and is called welding fume. Compared to other industrial

production processes, welding is fairly dangerous. Welding processes involve the

potential hazards for inhalation exposures that may lead to acute or chronic

respiratory diseases. Risks include asphyxiation due to dangerous inhalants, damage

to skin and eye due to ultraviolet light, chemical or electrical fires, and long-term

negative effects from fumes. This article is adapted from recent print and online

resources to provide an overview of welding fumes, health effects and the measures to

protect welders from welding fumes. Emmett, E. A., Buncher, C. R., Suskind, R. B.,

& Rowe Jr, K. W. (1981).The prevalence of skin and eye abnormalities was
determined in 77 journeymen welders, 75 members of the other trades exposed to

welding operations and 58 are non-exposed comparison workers. Most diseases,

injuries, and other health conditions experienced by working people are multifactorial,

especially as the workforce ages. Evidence supporting the role of work and personal

risk factors in the health of working people is frequently underused in developing

interventions. Schulte, P. A., Pandalai, S., Wulsin, V., & Chun, H. (2012). The Hong

Kong government issued are Ordinance to compensate for those suffered from health

and safety as being a craftsman on sites. Green developed a reputation risk

management program to show that prevention is better than cure. It is always better to

prevent bad fortune from happening, then to cure it after it had been happened.

Preventive measures for health improvement in the construction industry could be

achieved only if concerns raised upon workers’ inappropriate practice on construction

sites. Regardless to the statutory requirement imposing in construction sites, most

construction workers are unwilling to use PPE such as hardhat, protective gloves,

goggles, respirator, ear plugs and safety belts. The PPE is used to protect workers

against ill health and injury. Thus, for a long term measure, education of health

awareness can help preventing problems on health and safety related risks. Before

achieving the long-term measures, wearing mask seems to be the most effective and

essential way of prevention. Tam, V. W., & Fung, I. W. H. (2008).

Theoretical Framework

This study anchored to the Domino Theory by Heinrich H. W., and Alfred

Lateiner to provide a graphic sense on how the industrial injuries occur and be

avoided. An accident occurs from sequence of events. According to Heinrich, all

incidents directly relate to unsafe conditions and acts, which he defines as “unsafe

performance of persons, such as standing under suspended loads horseplay, and

removal of safeguards”; and “mechanical or physical hazards such as unguarded gears

and insufficient PPE.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Figure II. e shows the conceptual paradigms of the study.

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Unsafe Practices Health of the Welders

Figure II. e

Conceptual Paradigm of the Study

 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Method used

This study made use of the descriptive-questionnaire method of research. It

involves the collection of data through questionnaire to test the hypothesis or answer

the questions concerning the unsafe practices and health issues that welders

experienced in practical work area.

The Respondent of the study

The respondent of the study were the welders working at Frey-fil Corporation

specifically at National Highway, Barangay Sto. Nino, Panabo City and Salvacion,

Panabo City. It involves 20 welders, all males.

Research Instrument
 This study made use of survey questionnaire on the unsafe practices and health

issues experienced among the respondent, which was adopted and revised by the

researcher. There were 9 unsafe practices and 5 health issues cited measured through

the responses of the respondents wherein they were made to answer using the

following practices and issues.

Data Gathering Procedure

The following procedures were undertaken by the researcher to gather the data

that will answer the problem of the study.

1. Request of permission to conduct the study. A formal request was presented

through the project manager, of the Frey-fil Corporation to conduct a survey to

their welders.

2. Worker’s permission to answer the survey questionnaire. The respondents will

be informed first by having a letter given by the researcher and will sign after

reading. For the agreement between the researcher and the respondents,

approving to answer the given questions related to the study.

3. Administration of the questionnaire. After the approval of the request, the

researchers personally distributed the survey questionnaire to the 20 welders

during the 2nd week of November 2017.

4. Retrieval of the questionnaire. The questionnaires were retrieved after 5 days

with the help of other engineer in the construction site. The data were

collected, tabulated, and analyzed in accordance with the problem mentioned

in this study.

Statistical Treatment
The data were subjected to the following statistical treatment:

Percentage – this is the statistical treatment in order to determine the different unsafe

practices done by welders and health issues

𝑓
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 = × 100%
𝑛

Where 𝑓 is the number of respondent yield on the yes or no in every question

𝑛is the total number of respondents

Phi – this is the statistical treatment in order to determine the relationship between the

unsafe practices and health issues

𝜒2
𝜙=√
𝑁

𝜒 2 is the chi-square value

N – is the number of respondents

𝜙 Strength of Relationship

Between ±0.00 and ±0.10 Weak

Between ±0.11 and ±0.30 Moderate

More than ±0.30 Strong

 CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

This chapter present the result and findings of the gathered data.

Table 1.1 this table presents the result of percentage from the different unsafe

practices done by welders during their welding performance.

Unsafe Practices done by Welders during Performing Welding

Insufficient PPE Frequency Percent

Yes 13 76.47%
No 4 23.53%
TOTAL 17 100.00%
Do you use your welding mask/head shield while
Frequency Percent
performing
Yes 18 94.74%
No 1 5.26%
TOTAL 19 100.00%
Not wearing leather jacket while performing welding Frequency Percent
Yes 9 50.00%
No 9 50.00%
TOTAL 18 100.00%
Not wearing leather apron while performing welding Frequency Percent
Yes 12 66.67%
No 6 33.33%
TOTAL 18 100.00%
Not wearing leather pants while performing welding Frequency Percent
Yes 7 38.89%
No 11 61.11%
TOTAL 18 100.00%
Not wearing leather gloves while performing welding Frequency Percent
Yes 9 47.37%
No 10 52.63%
 TOTAL 19 100.00%
Not wearing leather shoes while performing welding Frequency Percent

Yes
8 42.11%
No 11 57.89%
TOTAL 19 100.00%
No maintenance checking of the working
Frequency Percent
environment
Yes 4 21.05%
No 15 78.95%
TOTAL 19 100.00%
No maintenance checking of tools and equipment Frequency Percent
Yes 1 5.26%
No 18 94.74%
TOTAL 19 100.00%

In the result of insufficient PPE 78.47% of the welders are not wearing proper

and complete PPE, and there are only 23.53% of them who uses complete PPE. As the

table present there were 94.74% are using welding mask and 5.26% are not wearing

welding wearing leather jacket while performing welding and wearing leather jacket

while performing welding. It gleaned in the data that there are 66.67% who are

wearing leather apron and 33.33% are not wearing leather apron while performing

welding. It shown in the data there are 38.89% of the welders who are not leather

pants and 61.11% who wears leather pants while performing welding. In not wearing

leather glove while performing welding there were 47.37% who are not wearing

leather gloves and 52.63% are wearing. In the result of not wearing leather shoes

while performing welding there are 42.11% are not wearing leather shoes and 57.89%

are wearing leather shoes. It shown in the table that there were 21.05% of the welders

who are not maintaining to check there working environment and 78.95% are

checking their work environment. It gleaned that there were only 5.26% who are not
maintaining to check their tools and equipment before and after welding and 94.74%

are maintaining to check their tools and equipment.

Table 1.2 this table presents the result of percentage from the different health issues

experienced by welders during welding performance.

Health issues experience by Welders during Performing Welding

Burns Frequency Percent

Yes 17 85.00%
No 3 15.00%
TOTAL 20 100.00%
Eye damage Frequency Percent
Yes 16 80.00%
No 4 20.00%
TOTAL 20 100.00%
Electrical shocks Frequency Percent
Yes 16 80.00%
No 4 20.00%
TOTAL 20 100.00%
Cuts Frequency Percent
Yes 12 60.00%
No 8 40.00%
TOTAL 20 100.00%
Crushed toes and fingers Frequency Percent
Yes 9 45.00%
No 11 55.00%
TOTAL 20 100.00%

As the result of health issues, there are 85.00% of the welders who

experienced burns and 15.00% are not affected with the said health issue. For the eye

damage there are 80.00% who experienced it and 20.00% who did not experience. For

the electrical shock there were also 80.00% who experienced it and 20.00% who did

not. As the result of cuts there are 60.00% who undergo cuts and 40.00% who did not

experienced it. And lastly the result of crushed toes and fingers there were 45.00% of

the welders who go through with the crushed toes and fingers and 55.00% of them

who did not experienced the said health issues.

Table 1.3 this table present the result of significant relationship between the unsafe

practices and health issues.

Significant Relationship Between Unsafe Practices and Health Issues.

Leather apron * Electrical shocks

Electrical shocks Total

Yes No

Yes 12 0 12
Leather apron
No 2 4 6
Total 14 4 18

This table is used as bases in finding the significant relationship between

unsafe practices and health issues that is done and experienced by welders, through

the result of the Phi value and their level of significance.

Symmetric Measures

Is a sign Value Approx. Exact

Sig. Sig.

Phi .756 .001 .005

Nominal by
Cramer's
Nominal .756 .001 .005
V

N of Valid Cases 18

a. Not assuming the null hypothesis.

b. Using the asymptotic standard error assuming the null

hypothesis.

In this table, it present that there is a significant relationship between unsafe

practices and the health issues. It shows that there is a significant relationship between

leather apron and electric shock which is done and experienced by the welders during

welding.

CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

In this chapter the conclusion was draw and the recommendation made as an

outgrowth of this study.

Conclusion

1. The unsafe practices done by the welders during welding are not wearing of

welding mask/head shield, leather gloves, leather jacket, leather pants, leather

shoes, no maintenance checking of the working environment and no

maintenance checking of tools and equipment. The unsafe practice done by the
 welders that the highest percentage is not wearing mask/head shield with a

percentage of 94.74%.

2. The different health issues experience by the welders are burns, eye damage,

electrical socks, cuts and crushed toes and fingers. The health issue experience

by the welders during welding is burns with a percentage of 85.00%.

3. Based on the data that we gathered, there is a significant relationship between

unsafe practices of welders during welding and health issues that experience

during welding.

Recommendation

1. The researcher recommend that welders must provide a complete personal

protective equipment in order for them to be safe, such as head shield, leather

gloves, leather apron/jacket, leather pants, leather shoes.

2. The researcher recommend that welders must use their personal protective

equipment properly.

3. The researcher recommend that welders must think safety first before

performing welding.

4. The researcher recommend that the welder instructor are aware to their

students on what they are doing.

 5. The researcher recommend that the SMAW students are aware to on what they

are performing.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Emmett, E. A., Buncher, C. R., Suskind, R. B., & Rowe Jr, K. W. (1981). Skin

and Eye Diseases Among Arc Welders and Those Exposed to Welding

Operations. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 23(2), 85-90.

Schulte, P. A., Pandalai, S., Wulsin, V., & Chun, H. (2012). Interaction of

occupational and personal risk factors in workforce health and safety.American

journal of public health, 102(3), 434-448,

Mistry, P. K. J. (2015). Impact of Welding Processes on Environment and

Health.
 Ladd, M., Ladd, J. E., Hinebaugh, L., Hennessy, J. E., & Hennessy, S. C.

(1995). U.S. Patent No. 5,462,655. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark

Office.

Tam, V. W., & Fung, I. W. H. (2008). A study of knowledge, awareness,

practice and recommendations among Hong Kong construction workers on using

personal respiratory protective equipment at risk. Open Construction and Building

Technology Journal, 2, 69-81.\

CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Particulars
Name: Aimee Beb S. Batucan
Age: 18 years old
Date of Birth: December 13, 1998
Gender: Female
Nationality: Filipino
Religion: Roman Catholic
Name of Mother: Leonora Batucan Occupation: House wife
Name of Father: Johnny Batucan Occupation: Farmer

Contact Information
Address:Prk. 1-A San Isidro, Carmen Davao Del Norte
Tel(home):
Tel(Mobile): 09505294309
E-mail address: Aimeebebfamelliza@yahoo.com

I hereby certify that the above information is true and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief. I also understand that any misinterpretation will be considered
sufficient reason for withdrawal of an offer or subsequent dismissal

________________
Student’s Signature

CURRICULUM VITAE
 Personal Particulars
Name: Baby Jean H. Ganade
Age: 18 years old
Date of Birth: June 27, 1999
Gender: Female
Nationality: Filipino
Religion: Roman Catholic
Name of Mother: Elma Ganade Occupation: House maid
Name of Father: Gregorio Ambaic Occupation: Construction Worker

Contact Information
Address:Prk. 8 Alejal Carmen Davao Del Norte
Tel(home):
Tel(Mobile): 09097479638
E-mail address: Babyjeanganade@yahoo.com

I hereby certify that the above information is true and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief. I also understand that any misinterpretation will be considered
sufficient reason for withdrawal of an offer or subsequent dismissal

________________
Student’s Signature

CURRICULUM VITAE
 Personal Particulars
Name: Hiede R. Herbolingo
Age: 17 years old
Date of Birth: May 9, 2000
Gender: Female
Nationality: Filipino
Religion: Roman Catholic
Name of Mother: Marta Herbolingo Occupation: Laborer
Name of Father: Vicente Herbolingo Occupation: Laborer

Contact Information
Address: Prk 8-A Southview Subdivision, Southern Davao, Panabo City
Tel(home):
Tel(Mobile): 09301926456
E-mail address: haydeeherbolingo@yahoo.com

I hereby certify that the above information is true and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief. I also understand that any misinterpretation will be considered
sufficient reason for withdrawal of an offer or subsequent dismissal

________________
Student’s Signature
 CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Particulars
Name: Diana Rose S. Leones
Age: 18 years old
Date of Birth: May 22, 1999
Gender: Female
Nationality: Filipino
Religion: Roman Catholic
Name of Mother: Rosenda C. Suares Occupation: House wife
Name of Father: Nestor C. Leones Occupation: Company driver

Contact Information
Address: Prk. 10 Ising Carmen, Davao Del Norte
Tel(home):
Tel(Mobile):
E-mail address: Dianaroseleones@yahoo.com

I hereby certify that the above information is true and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief. I also understand that any misinterpretation will be considered
sufficient reason for withdrawal of an offer or subsequent dismissal

________________
Student’s Signature
 CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Particulars
Name: Shirelyn E. Logrono
Age: 17 years old
Date of Birth: February 14, 2000
Gender: Female
Nationality: Filipino
Religion: Roman Catholic
Name of Mother: Eileen Logrono Occupation: House wife
Name of Father: Cirilo Logrono Occupation: Laborer

Contact Information
Address: Prk. 8 Southview Subdivision, Southern Davao Panabo City
Tel(home):
Tel(Mobile): 09123992941
E-mail address: Shirelynlogrono@yahoo.com

I hereby certify that the above information is true and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief. I also understand that any misinterpretation will be considered
sufficient reason for withdrawal of an offer or subsequent dismissal

________________
Student’s Signature
 CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Particulars
Name: Alliah Villahermosa
Age: 18
Date of Birth: October 19,1999
Gender:Female
Nationality: Filipino
Religion:
Name of Mother: Jessica Fuentes Occupation: None
Name of Father: Joel Fuentes Occupation: Architect Engineer

Contact Information
Address: Prk. 15 Lilia Homes Subd. New Visayas Panabo City
Tel(home):
Tel(Mobile): 09309637660
E-mail address:

I hereby certify that the above information is true and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief. I also understand that any misinterpretation will be considered
sufficient reason for withdrawal of an offer or subsequent dismissal

________________
Student’s Signature