Welding is hazardous. The workplace environment welders deal with, plus the general duties of the job, make it a dangerous profession for anyone. Singer Safety Company understands the dangers of welding and the necessary welding protective equipment to lower the risk of injury.
Potential Hazards of Welding
Welding is one of the most dangerous professions. Hazards range from exposure to fumes, heat, risks of burns, electric shock, and even vision and hearing loss. Welding environments require high-performance gear to protect welders and other employees.
Dangerous Fumes and Gases
The welding process produces serval gasses and fumes. Nitrogen oxides, ozone, chromium, nickel oxides, and carbon monoxide can cause respiratory distress. Welders are at a higher risk for long-term health issues, including cancer, impaired speech, and chronic respiratory diseases.
Electric Shock
Electric shock and electrocution are some of the most immediate risks to a welder. During the welding process, live electrical circuits create a pool of molten metal. A welder accidentally inserting themselves into that circuit can result in severe injury or death. Damp conditions, wet clothing, cramp conditions, and metal surfaces increase the risk of eclectic shock.
Burns
Welding temperatures range from around 6,000 to over 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat created in the process poses a risk for extreme burns from direct contact with hot metal and sparks.
Vision Loss
Welding creates an intense spark of UV light that can damage retinas. Looking at the light without welding PPE or through welding screens or curtains can cause arc-eye or welders’ flash. These conditions are painful and can be long-lasting. Prolonged exposure to the welding spark can cause permanent vision loss. Particulates, foreign bodies, and fumes can also cause eye damage and vision loss.
Individual Welding PPE
Welding protective gear includes personal protective equipment (PPE) and environmental equipment, including welding screens and curtains. PPE aims to protect the individual welder from potential hazards during the welding process.
Welding Helmets
The image that comes to mind when you think “welder,” or the first image search results, probably features a welder’s helmet. There are countless movie scenes featuring the dramatic lower of the helmet. What do welding helmets actually do? They serve as a welder’s first line of defense. The helmet shields the face and eyes from harmful UV and IV rays, and guard against flying sparks.
Safety Glasses
Potential eye damage is a massive hazard for welding. While helmets protect the eyes to some level, glasses offer an additional layer of protection. Glasses are critical anytime the helmet is raised. They also act as an additional barrier for flying particles or sparks.
Gloves
Welding gloves protect the hands from heat, sparks, radiation, and other hazards. These gloves are made from thick leather or other fire-resistant materials.
Welding Attire
Specially made clothing including aprons, jackets, and coveralls protect the welder’s skin and body from burns, sparks, and the intense heat of the welding environment. Proper welding attire is critical to reducing the risk of injury and illness in the welding environment.
Respirators and Masks
Welding produces hazardous fumes. Depending on the specific type of welding, different masks and respirators are needed to protect welders’ respiratory health.
Boots
Boots are another key part of welding attire. Standard workboots won’t cut it for welding jobs. Specially made boots are an essential piece of welding protective gear. Welding boots are designed to ensure no sparks or hot metal can bypass the boot and damage the foot. Many welding boots are steel or kevlar-toed and feature a metatarsal guard to protect the foot from any heavy falling objects.
Ear Protection
Hearing loss is also a potential risk in welding environments. Ear protection, such as earplugs and muffs, protects welders from harmful noise levels. Plus, earmuffs can protect you from heat or any physical harm.
Welding Safety Products from Singer Safety Company
Environmental welding protective gear includes curtains, blankets, and screens. When strategically installed, these devices provide welders protection from heat, UV rays, sparks, and fumes. They also create barriers between welding zones and the rest of the workplace environment, further protecting other employees. Singer Safety Company provides a wide range of safety products designed specifically for the welding industry.
Welding Curtains
Welding curtains add an extra layer of protection between welding and other operations in the facility’s areas. Welding curtains contain UV light, and there is a risk of flash burns in a specific area. Curtains can also help contain fumes, protecting other workers. Singer Safety Company’s welding curtains provide a protective and flame-resistant barrier between dangerous welding hazards and the rest of your workplace. Welding curtains are durable yet light and simple to assemble.
Welding Blankets
A welding blanket is a covering that protects a welder from molten metals. Welders wear these blankets while working to avoid burns and other serious injuries. Singer Safety Company manufactures high-quality TEMP/TEX welding blankets. Welding blankets are flame-resistant or flame-retardant and are designed for heat protection and thermal isolation. Welding blankets offer protection up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Our blankets come in two material options, a variety of standard sizes, and all blankets are hemmed and seamed with durable double stitching.
Welding Screens
A welding screen acts as an enclosure that creates a safe environment for those working inside and outside the enclosure. Welding screens can be portable and versatile, perfect to adapt to any workplace. Singer Safety Company offers a variety of welding screens, including portable welding and safety screens, roll-up welding and safety screens, and tri-fold welding and safety screens. Welding screens are an excellent option due to their short assembly time, flexible configurations, and the level of protection and safety they provide.\
Singer Safety Company
Singer Safety Company has been producing industrial barrier protection products, including welding screens, since 1950. Our goal is to help you make your workplace as safe as possible and to lower the risks associated with welding. We understand the importance of proper welding PPE and welding safety materials. Contact Singer Safety Company to order safety products to protect your welders from welding hazards or to learn more about how we can help you keep your workplace safe.