Extending Careers Through Ergonomics
The average American welder is now in his 50s, and he’s retiring at a faster rate than his children are joining the welding trade. The aging workforce is one of the primary causes of the welder shortage and has manufacturers scrambling to find, hire and train new welders through a number of recruitment avenues.
But ramping up recruitment efforts doesn’t have to be the only solution to the problem — one way to reduce the importance of finding new welders is by extending the careers of existing welders through making welding as ergonomically comfortable as possible.
Installing soft, yet resilient flooring will reduce foot, leg and back pain that can cause serious problems after years of standing.
Locating production materials and consumables as close to the welding cell as possible and at a level that doesn’t require bending or climbing can reduce back injuries and other accidents.
Using auto-darkening helmets can reduce neck problems caused by a lifetime of flipping down traditional welding helmets.
Over the course of a welding career, these types of small changes can make big differences to employee health and longevity. The initial investment in equipment and products is paid back several times over in the extended career of the welder. These steps have the added benefit of reducing workers compensation claims and building employee. They can also significantly increase productivity, which will further reduce dependence on hiring new welders.
Without a doubt, finding new welders to replace those entering retirement will be a necessary component in solving the welder shortage. With the educational system’s overwhelming orientation toward college preparatory education, recruiting teenagers into the field won’t be enough by itself, however.
Accomplishing more with the existing workforce is one way to reduce the strain caused by the welder shortage. What has your company done to improve employee longevity? Have you or any of your co-workers developed a long-term injury as a result of your job environment? Share your story by posting a comment below.
Average (Not Rated)
March 26th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Dear Hiring Manager,
I would like to know about any of your current available positions that you may have open for employment.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Well this would be nice,padded floors? Not in the real world in the field
March 27th, 2007 at 9:28 am
Horace,
You can find our current openings here:
http://www.millerwelds.com/about/career/
April 10th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
just do your job better than anybody else can get tough or get out
April 18th, 2007 at 6:30 am
Our small company faces this problem daily however training the Younger generation is not an easy task. We are “old” school here and the non existent work ethic the babies have coming into the field is extremely disheartening.
April 19th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
There are lots of choices in MIG guns out there, and most claim to be better ergonomically than all the others.
How willing are people to try out new ones? Or is there so much brand loyalty that most welders stick with the ones they know best?
April 26th, 2007 at 6:49 am
If you are looking for more mature, better skilled, quality employees you should become an active volunteer with SkillsUSA. We see students coming into the workforce today with poor work ethics, and average skill. SkillsUSA instills quality work ethics and helps every student in their membership become better employees. Check them out @ http://www.skillsusa.org
Although not every Student may fit your needs or work culture, these students are usually the top of their class and as a volunteer at your state or local competitions, you will benefit from being a part of this organization. The welding programs are being cut everyday and our Department of Education does not understand the importance of welding in our modern society so it is up to us as employers to be responsible corporate citizens and step up and get involved in such an organization.
May 24th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
become an active volunteer!!!!! people like you will live on taxpayers payroll and you wonder why the private sector is in trouble think before you talk