Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription or Fee Access

Underwater Welding: Hazardous, Dangerous, but Very Lucrative

Abdullahi Abdulraheem

Abstract


Welding underwater, the odds are stacked against you. The pressure threatens to crush the body. Tasks are difficult to perform as clouds of bubbles blocked visuals. Gas explosion is not an issue isolated to underwater welding. Against all odds, underwater welders are responsible for repairing pipelines, offshore oil drilling rigs, ships, dams, locks, sub-sea habitats and nuclear power facilities, to name but a few. Major welding process for underwater welding as well as the two methods of underwater welding are discussed in this paper. Important of bubbles and how they affect visibility during welding, also the surprising danger and the futures of underwater welding are shown. This paper will also highlight basic salaries and some of the requirement for a welder/diver.

Keywords


Electricity, welding, water, pressure, bubbles and waves

Full Text:

PDF

References


Keats, DJ. Underwater Wet welding–A Welder’s Mate. Leicester: Matador; 2004.

Cary, HB, Helzer, SC. Modern Welding Technology. 6th ed. New Jersey: Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall; 2005.

Bennett PB, Schafstall H. Scope and design of the GUSI international research program. Undersea biomedical research. 1992;19(4):231–41.

Keats, DJ. Wet Welding-A Welder's Mate, Special Welds .2005.

Smith, Matt. Underwater Welding Salary & Risk Factor. Water Welders. 2015.

Hart PR. A Study of Non-consumable Welding Processes for Driverless Deepwater Hyperbaric Welding to 2500 m Water Depth (Doctoral dissertation, Cranfield University, School of Industrial and Manufacturing Science, Marine Technology).

Smith, Matt. Objectives. Water Welders. 2014.

Bevan, John. The Professional Divers’ Handbook (second edition). 3005:122–125.

Ortendahl TW, Dahlén G, Röckert HO. Evaluation of oral problems in divers performing electrical welding and cutting under water. Undersea biomedical research. 1985;12(1):69–76.

Macdiarmid JI, Ross JA, Semple S, et al. Further investigation of possible musculoskeletal and cognitive deficit due to welding in divers identified in the ELTHI Diving Study. HSE books Research Report 390.

US Navy Diving Manual, 6th revision. United States: US Naval Sea Systems Command. 2006.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.