Should You Become a Drilling Rig Welder?
One of the more exciting and lucrative career paths an adventurous welder can take is on an offshore drilling rig. While welders are almost always in high demand welders willing to work on a rig are among the top most wanted welders. So, if you’re looking for a career that offers good pay, security and excitement then offshore drilling rigs are for you.
The Pros
Adventure: Unlike most other jobs welders will be living in their own little town onboard the rig. This unique chance allows workers to come together as a community as well as fellow workers to get the job done. Definitely a step up from a shallow nod to the welder down the lane.
Interesting: Welding is pretty much the same everywhere, but welding on a rig means a lot more. Welders will encounter welding projects the likes they’ve never seen while offshore. These projects are guaranteed to interest the mind and challenge the soul.
Pay: On average welders working on offshore drilling rigs will make around the $60,000 mark a year. That’s double the typical the pay for welders working in more common industries.
Security: Securing a welding job in manufacturing or construction can be hard. Between jobs being moved overseas to info structure projects finishing up, finding a welding job isn’t the issue. It’s keeping the job. Offshore drilling rigs are located all over the world and are always looking for quality welders.
Cons
Required Experience: A job on an offshore rig is not for the beginning welder. Companies look for welder that have at least three to five years of basic welding experience. They also look for welders who are certified by a reliable institute.
Demanding: Welding on an oil rig is not for those welders getting ready to retire or those who have physical limitations. Dexterity and the ability to work under stress are requirements when working on an oil rig.
Personal Life: Life on an offshore rig leaves very little time for romantic relations. Most contracts last months at a time and only the most understanding of partners can really make a relationship work under that type of distance. Welding on an oil rig is a great fit for capable young and uncommitted men.
Risk to Life and Limb: This isn’t a job for the faint of heart and for good reason. Oil rigs have many hazards that could cost a welder a limb or their life. From fires, explosions and other accidents, the danger to one’s life on an oil rig is very real.
Welding on an offshore oil rig can be a rewarding career for those willing to take on the challenges that come along with it. It will also add to a welder’s personal experience in the field and give them a boost up in future employment years down the road.
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Welding Safety Tips You Need Now
Hazards do occur and that is why you should encourage for safety practices. Welding exposes you to various risks despite the size of company you run. Consequently, whether you are a welder in a big company that majors in intensive welding or you run a small business, prioritizing on safety is compulsory. To boost productivity and improve welding safety you need guidance.
The following tips will guide you towards a better welding environment:
Understand the operating manual
A welder should understand how various machines work. This is achievable through reading welder’s operating manual that comes with the welding machines. The person operating the machine should be familiar with its contents. User manuals should not be ignored at any given instance or replaced with other materials. A welder should always follow the manufacturer’s endorsements without fail.
Button up
Ultraviolet and infrared rays are common in welding. You skin is prone damaging effects if it is not properly covered. Unbuttoned shirt, open pockets and pant cuffs can catch sparks and result into burning. Therefore, you should avoid wearing garments that place you at the peril of causing injuries.
Wear safety gear
Helmets, gloves and clothes make the list of safety gear. Short sleeved shirts and shorts should not be worn in a welding compartment .Preferable you should wear flame resistant clothing such as a welding jacket, clothes from firmly woven material or denim pants. For a less restricting look, you should acquire lightweight outfits that will allow you to move freely.
Just like other outfits, welding clothes are also important. They come in different special designs and sizes for particular welding processes. They are also available with ergonomically curved fingers. Glovers are classified in three main categories; TIG gloves, medium-duty MIG and stick gloves or Heavy-duty MIG gloves. To avoid burns while picking welded materials glovers should be used alongside pliers.
Foot protection
For the best foot protection, high quality leather shoes are recommended. You should avoid wearing cloth or tennis shoes, as they will expose you to more danger. Subsequently, make sure your pants go over your shoes for maximum safety.
Protect yourself from toxic fumes
For clean breathing, use an exhaust remove fumes from confined spaces. For proper procedures on materials that require respirators when welding seek guidance from your welding engineer, industrial safety specialist or the electrodes data sheets from the manufacturers. Shielding gasses may also supplant breathable air are thus you should be more cautious as a welder.
Avoid being exposed to the light
Based on welding criteria, OSHA offers guides on choosing the correct lens shade. They approved safety glasses come with ear protection that should be worn under the helmet and side shields. To protect others from harm install barriers where suitable. You may require different shade lens if your welding materials and parameters change more often. Exposure to welding arc rays may result in ‘arc flash’. Arc flash is a condition that subjects you to pain and is only noticeably hours after be exposure to the harmful arc rays.
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