Underwater welders work on oil rigs, underwater pipelines, ships, dams, and more to maintain these behemoths. However, underwater welding is a dangerous profession. This video explores some of the different environments an underwater welder will find themselves in.
Some underwater welders work inland on docks, dams, and other pieces of infrastructure that are located on a coast. They show up to work and clock in eight hours just like everybody else.
Offshore welders have a much more dynamic working environment. They may be deployed to oil platforms or large vessels. They typically have worse working hours, too, with many logging 80 hours in one week.
Regular diving risks are present, like drowning, decompression sickness, and hypothermia. Differential pressure hazards, or DP, can create huge amounts of force that trap divers underwater.
Welding underwater also separates the hydrogen and oxygen molecules that make up water. If the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen is significantly altered, it can lead to an explosion. The welders may also be electrocuted, which is why they will occasionally work in dry welding containers.
The risks of underwater welding may lead you to ask why anyone would pursue this profession. That is why underwater welders are well paid. For more information, check out the video to the link above.
