ANALYSIS OF PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IN WELDING SHOPS IN

BRGY MATEUNA TAYABAS CITY

______________________________

A Thesis
Presented to
The Faculty of
Buenaventura Alandy National High School
Brgy.Ibabang Bukal Tayabas City
______________________________

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements in
Practical Research II
______________________________

By:
DE CHAVEZ,VINCE ROI G.
BARLOS,KIM ERROLH G.
ORTIZ,JOHN ALBERT

Ms.AILEEN AVERILLA
Practical Research II
August 2018
 CHAPTER I

PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, welding is very popular it is very in demand not only in the

Philippines but also in other countries. But what is the use of being in demand if

the welder doesn’t know how to prevent possible harm or trouble in their work or

simply the precautionary measures in welding industry. As a welder we need to

make sure that we are safe not just only for ourselves but also for our love ones.

It is very impotant that we know the precautionary measures to make sure that we

can work well and safe.

According to Brown (1998).Arc welding is a safe process when sufficient

are taken to protect the welders from potential hazard and when proper operating

practices are followed .Laws (2017) There are several hazards central to welding

that must be accounted for in welders training,equipment ,and set up for a job. This

include electric shock ,welding fumes , fire and injuries that can be caused by

wearing PPE that is not sufficient to protect against the level of hazard encounter

during the task.Most welding equipment has a voltage that present a risk of electric

shock .”the most common type of electric shock is secondary voltage shock from

an arc welding circuit , which ranges from 20 to 100 volts. Bear in mind that even

a shock of 50 volts or less can be enough to ensure or kill an operator ,depending

on the condition”,an article OHS OH and S published three years ago pointed out.
BACKGROUND

The precautionary measure must be effective and proportional does not

appear to be the final word. For instance, what types of precautionary measures

are there to choose from? Should measures be contemplated at the international,

the national, or both levels? What to do when precautionary action intended to

prevent one environmental hazard itself entails another environmental risk? And

once taken, how long should precautionary measures be left in force? (Tickner et

al., 2000).

According to Lincoln Electric Company (2016) .Safety is a critical

consederation for any welding project. Arc welding is a safe occupation when

proper precautions are taken .But if safety are ignored ,welders face an array of

hazard which can be potentially dangerous. Arc welding is also safe occupation

when sufficient measures are taken to protect the welder from potential hazard.

When these measures are overlooked or ignored, however, welder can encounter

such danger as electric shock, overexposure to fumes and gases, arc radiation,

fire and explosion, which may result in serious, or even fatal injuries.

As a welder we experience those hazard due to lack in knowledge about

the precautionary measure that is very important to our safety. In this study

therefore ,the researcher want to know the precautionary measures use by the

welding shops in Brgy Mateuna Tayabas City, Quezon and to propose possible

intervention/activity that can be done to increase the level of awareness of welding

shops and its welders on precautionary measures.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1.What are the precautionary measures used by the welding shops in Brgy

Mateuna Tayabas City,Quezon?

2.What intervention/activity can be done to increase the level of awareness of

welders on precautionary measure?

3.What is the level of acceptability on the intervention /activity?

SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY

Moreover this study will anticipate to contribute additional information to

serve the following individual and organization.

WELDERS – This will give the welders enough information about using

precautionary measure that is very important to their safety .

COSTOMER – This will serve as a guide and will help them to became aware to

their safety inside the welding shop.

FUTURE RESEARCHER – The result of this research may help the new

researcher to develop their findings ang can be the source of information that will

support their study about precautionary measure.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

Welding shops and its welders in Brgy Mateuna Tayabas City ,Quezon

are use as a sample in conducting the survey. Focuses on the current year 2018

– 2019.This study will also use questionare.

Its main porpose is to know the precautionary measures use by the

welding shop in Brgy Mateuna Tayabas City, Quezon and to propose possible

intervention/activity to increasecthe level of awareness and knowledge about

precautionary measures.
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter present the review of related literature and related studies

that will act as a supporting idea to the study. It also includes the conseptual

framework and the definition of terms.

RELATED STUDY

According to OSH (2018).There are several hazards central to welding

that must be accounted for in welders' training, equipment, and set-up for a job.

These include electric shock, welding fumes, fire, and injuries that can be caused

by wearing PPE that is not sufficient to protect against the level of hazard

encountered during the task. Most welding equipment has a voltage that presents

a risk of electric shock. "The most common type of electric shock is secondary

voltage shock from an arc welding circuit, which ranges from 20 to 100 volts. Bear

in mind that even a shock of 50 volts or less can be enough to injure or kill an

operator, depending on the conditions," an article OH&Spublished three years ago

pointed out.Exposure to welding fumes and gases is a primary hazard. Welders

must be acquainted with safety data sheets for the welding consumable products

they are using, as well as the use of ventilation to ensure exposures are minimized.

Permissible exposure limits come into play here, limits established by OSHA and

the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Welders rely on

respiratory protection, ventilation, and a variety of products for fume extraction.The

PPE standard says step one is the employer's hazard assessment, followed by

PPE selection and worker training. Once trained, workers should understand when

PPE is needed and what types of PPE are needed; how to put on and take off their

PPE properly; the limitations of their PPE; and the proper care and maintenance

of this protective equipment.

According to 2nd International Iron and Steel Symposium (2017). If

proper precautions are taken, safe working environment can be provided. Arc

welding includes various hazards like dust, gas and smoke, compressed gas

cylinders, harmful rays, high temperature and electric shock. These hazards can

cause accidents which may occur before, during or after welding. Especially

breathing dust, gas and smoke or exposure to the harmful rays may lead to

occupational diseases in long term. In this paper, physical and chemical risks that

may arise during the TIG welding process are searched and safety measures that

set by international and national standards are presented. Storage and use of

compressed gas cylinders, safety instructions for TIG welding machine, workplace

safety, personal protective equipment specifications and measures must be taken

against occupational diseasesconstitute content of the post.

According to Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health (2015).Primary

preventive actions are developed and organized to avoid or minimize risks posed

to the heath of individuals or a collective. Preventive measures somewhat express

priorities established and directed by public policies . In the specific case presented

here, primary prevention focuses on reducing diseases caused by the exposure of

welders and future workers to harmful compounds. In this context, the primary

preventive measure we propose to enhance the well-being of these workers and

future workers is risk communication. Risk communication refers to an interactive

process in which information and opinions are exchanged among interested

parties, and include messages concerning events that pose risks to workers and

how to identify, analyze and manage such risks. For risk communication to be

effective, the characteristics of the event posing a risk to workers need to be

identified because these characteristics influence the individuals’ perceptions of

risks. Thus, risk communication, along with public participation and conflict

resolution, encourages the modification of individual and collective behavior in the

face of events that pose risks to health. The use of risk communication as a primary

prevention tool is found in different working environments, such as among farmers

chemical industries, and technological education schools , among others. This

study’s aim was to apply the communication of risks in welding apprenticeship

programs. The Laboratory of Socio-Environmental Process Studies and Collective

Health Promotion (LAMSA) research group has developed research in this context

in the Socio-Environmental Laboratory of Occupational Health at the School of

Nursing, Federal University of Rio Grande. The perceptions of welding apprentices

concerning welding fumes as associated with respiratory and cardiovascular

disorders was used to classify events that pose risks to health and that can be

communicated in the apprenticeship process. The reason is that the awareness of

apprentices concerning this event can be strengthened or even modified during

the training process to ensure safer occupational practices. Welding is a common

industrial process but one with the potential to be extremely harmful, and

detrimental to the health of welders. One of the main risk factors to which welders

are exposed is welding fumes and gases. The main disorders caused by such

exposure include respiratory disorders as reported in studies conducted in

Denmark , Iran and Malaysia, and cardiovascular disorders as reported by studies

conducted in the United States and Denmark. There are, however, few studies

addressing welding apprenticeship programs and the implementation of risk

communication as a primary prevention tool to advise future workers concerning

the exposure of welding fumes being associated with respiratory and

cardiovascular disorders.

RELATED LITERATURE

According American Welding Society (2008). Like other jobs or careers,

welders must wear suitable protective equipment. In general, Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE) must protect against hazards such as burns, sparks, spatter,

electric shock, and radiation. The use of PPE is a good safe practice and may be

required by regulatory agencies. For example, OSHA requires the use of PPE

when engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or effective. Welding

and cutting can produce hazards such as sparks, spatter, radiation (infrared,

ultraviolet, and blue light), slag, heat, hot metal, fumes and gases, and even

electric shock. Since these hazards may cause burns, injury, or death, it is

important to wear proper PPE at all times.

 According to Gambo (2015). Welding is associated with various inherent

occupational hazards which may result in severe consequences on health of

workers performing this task. Very little information exists regarding health hazards

and how they are controlled among welders in developing countries. For instance,

there is limited information on use of personal protective equipment or work related

health problems within this occupational group. Little information is published

concerning welders in Zambia, although the number of welders is increasing,

especially in small scale enterprises.Thus, the study aimed to gather information

about occupational hazards and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

among small scale welders in Lusaka, Zambia. Acute health effects experienced

by the welders were also explored as well as the welders’ awareness regarding

occupational hazards and use of PPE. This was a cross sectional study of 430

small scale welders conducted in Lusaka, Zambia. A pretested structured interview

guide and checklist was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, work

experience and occupational hazards, awareness of PPE and hazards, use of PPE

and acute health effects experienced. Descriptive statistics were used in the

analyses of data,Chi square and ANOVA tests were used for comparing study

variables and a generalised linear model with a log link function was used to derive

relative risks. It was found that welders were exposed to welding hazards such as

intense bright light, heat, noise, fumes and gases. Other hazards arose from poor

housekeeping, unsafe work structures and tools such as grinders. Although the

majority (98%) of welders were aware of at least one type of welding hazard or

PPE, about 2% were not aware of any hazards or any personal protective
measures. None of the welders used all the recommended PPE at any time during

their work. A high prevalence of self-reported eye (88%) nasal (78%), metal fume

fever (68%) andrespiratory (64%) related symptoms was found in addition to burns

(87%) and cuts (79%) on hands/arms. Education was associated with awareness

regarding hazards and PPE as well as use of PPE.

Welders in this study worked under poor and dangerous conditions that

exposed them to several safety and health hazards. Although most welders were

aware of occupational hazards and related PPE for their work, this awareness did

not translate into use of PPE. Their use of protective measures did not offer the

level of protection required considering that a high prevalence of acute health

effects was found among the welders in the study. This calls for concern and need

for more preventive measures within this occupational group to avoid injuries and

diseases.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Based from the related readings, the researchers felt that the

precautionary measures is very important to the safety of welder. The

aforementioned review of related literature and studies guided the researchers in

determining the level of awareness on the precautionary measure in welding

industry.
RESEARCH PARADIGM

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

 Conduct a study  Development of  Increased level of

about the the questionnaire awareness

precautionary  Permission to towards the

measure used by conduct a study precautionary

the welding shop  Propose measures in

in brgy Mateuna intervention/activity welding industry.

Tayabas City about

precautionary

measure in

welding industry

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

Acute Health effects: Health effects experienced as a result of exposure to

hazards during or

immediately after work, or within a period of two weeks after exposure to hazards

at work.

Hazards: a source of danger

Occupational Hazard: Any activity, process or materials related to welding with

the

potential to cause harm or adverse health effects on people performing this task.

PPE: Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment: Devices (i.e. goggles, respirators/face masks,

welding

helmets/shield, safety boots, fire resistant aprons, work suit/coverall and insulated

gloves)

used to prevent or reduce exposure of the welders to workplace hazards.

Precautionary measures: is something that is done to prevent possible harm or

trouble from happening in the future.

Risk: The probability of harm or an adverse health effect occurring to a person

exposed to a hazard.

Small Scale Enterprise: A business entity whose total number of workers is less

than 10.

These may or may not be registered with the company registrar of Zambia.

Welder: Any person who performs welding processes including apprentices.

Welding: The process of joining metal pieces by means of molten metal that is

produced at

the joint by heat, pressure or both heat and pressure.

 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter includes the locale of the study, research method population

,instrumental and data gathering procedures.

LOCALE OF THE STUDY

This study was conducted at Brgy Mateuna Tayabas City,Quezon to

determine their level of awareness on precautionary measures.

RESEARCH METHOD

This study used quantitative research ,employing questionare and

surveying the welding shop in Brgy Mateuna Tayabas City, Quezon which

concerned the nature and status of the study.

RESEARCH POPULATION AND SAMPLE

The respondent will be the welding shop owner and its welder in Brgy

Mateuna Tayabas City, Quezon.The respondents were selected using purposive

convenience sampling technique where the intended respondent are the owner

and welder of the welding shop ,because the welder and owner of the welding

shop is the only capable to determine the necessary data that the study aims to

find.
RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

In order to gather the data ,the researchers used a self – constractive

checklist questionare as instrument for the study. It was conceptualized though

reading related to precautionary measures in welding industry.

DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE

The researchers secure a permit from the school principal of

Buenaventura Alandy National High School in order to commit the researchers

intent during the conduct of the study. A letter of intent was also served to the

selected respondents. The research instrument was served personally to the

respondents.
QUESTIONS 4 3 2 1

1.How do you know the precautionary measure?

(Gaano mo kaalam ang precautionary measure?)

2.Are you using precautionary measure?

(Gumagamit kaba ng precautionary measure?)

3.How important the precautionary measure in welding industry?

(Gaano kahalaga ang precautionary measure sa industriya ng

welding?)

4.How do you know the hazards in welding industry?

(Gaano mo kaalam ang mga hazard sa welding?)

5.Do you know how to avoid hazard or any trouble in welding?

(Gaano mo kaalam kung paano maiwasan ang mga panganid sa

welding?)

6.How do you know the PPE in welding?

(Gaano mo kaalam ang PPE sa welding

7.Are you using proper PPE in welding?

(gumagamit kaba ng PPE sa paghihinang?

8.Is safety is important to welder?

(Gaano ka importante ba ang kaligtasan sa paghihinang?)

9.Are you aware to your safety?

(Nagiingat kaba pag naghihinang?)

10.How dangerous is welding?

(Gaano kadelikado ang paghihinang?)

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

 American Welding Society (2008)

www.aws.org

 Lincoln Global Inc. (2016)

www.lincolnelectric.com

 Gambo (2015)
http://helseforskning.etikkom.no/

 Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health (2015)

www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

 (OSH, 2018)
https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2017/04/01/Welding-Safety-Best-
Practices.aspx?m=1&Page=3

 (IJIRSET, 2018)
http://www.rroij.com/open-access/safety-considerations-in-a-
weldingprocess-a-review.php?aid=44846

 (2nd International Iron and Steel Symposium, 2017)

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314281038_RISKS_AND_SAFETY_ME
ASURES_IN_TIG_WELDING_PROCESS