Welders are exposed to a variety of toxic gases and heavy metal particulate matter in the practice of their trade, even in well ventilated settings. Welding fume litigation has focused on the dangers of manganese. Because the exposure, medical, and disability characteristics of welding-associated disorders exhibit many similarities to those of these other occupational diseases, some legal experts have suggested that corporate legal exposure in welding disorders might eventually rival that of asbestos. By Joseph Cannelongo, M.S., CRC, LPC; George Cyphers, M.Ed, CRC, LPC, CDMS; and James R. Fell, RN, M.S.N., M.B.A.

Work capacity is inherent to any disability determination. The Transferable Skills Analysis (TSA) is a common tool used to determine residual employment capacity following a disabling injury or illness. Several software programs are available to perform a TSA, but a skilled professional’s judgment is necessary to perform a TSA properly. By Joseph Cannelongo, M.S., C.R.C., L.P.C.