Welding fumes lead to workers' comp claims

More from the Bay Bridge scandal. This to do with Fumes and worker's health, from the San Mateo County Times (Full Story here)

For about a year, Lupe Gaytan climbed up and down the 50-foot cofferdam ladders to weld inside the steel legs of the partially built Bay Bridge. When he started, his lungs were fine, he said, referring to a piece of paper indicating he was healthy enough to be fully cleared to use a safety respirator while welding on June 19, 2003.

Today, Gaytan climbs into bed every night and straps on a mask that helps him breathe while he sleeps. The Union City man said he never had such problems before he worked on the Bay Bridge.

``I don't smoke,'' the 49-year-old Gaytan said. ``Now I've been diagnosed with restrictive pulmonary disease.''

Gaytan and more than a dozen other current and former welders on the bridge job came forward after an Oakland Tribune report in June showing the contractor for more than a year knowingly exposed workers welding particulate and fumes, including manganese, in excess of Cal-OSHA standards. Cal-OSHA records show prime contractor KFM Joint Venture didn't tell the workers about the overexposure, require respirators or fix the problem.
Now dozens of welders have filed worker's compensation claims - which were denied and are on appeal - based on the exposure. They say a class-action lawsuit is in the works.

(See link above to read the entire story). I think we're seeing the issues bad planning and poor execution can bring up for contractors. If you're a welder, never let your health get in the way of work. It's not worth it...