1 in 250 construction workers will die from welding-related injuries. Burns, eye injuries, cuts, breathing issues, shocks, and crush injuries are very common. On top of the safety risks to welders, welding put everyone in the vicinity at risk if not properly contained.

The Importance of Welding Safety Equipment

The importance of welding safety equipment can not go unsaid. There are many risks associated with the job. 1 in 250 construction workers will die from welding-related injuries. Burns, eye injuries, cuts, breathing issues, shocks, and crush injuries are very common. On top of the safety risks to welders, welding put everyone in the vicinity at risk if not properly contained. If you want to protect your employees from welding-related injuries and deaths then you understand the importance of welding safety equipment. In this article, you will learn about the importance of welding safety equipment, the type of welding safety gear welders need, and welding safety protocols.

Welding PPE

Understanding the importance of welding safety gear begins with understanding the specifics of welding PPE. There are many pieces of welding safety equipment meant to protect different parts of the body. 

Eye and Face Protection

As the welder welds, sparks fly, debris floats off, and the process gives off a very bright light. These are all things that if they landed in your eye or on your face would result in injuries of varying degrees. As such, eye and face protection is crucial. Every welder should be equipped with goggles, a welding helmet, and a hand shield to protect the face and eyes from flying particles, radiation, sparks, bright flashes, and chemical burns.

Respirators

The practice of welding gives off toxic fumes and oxide dust. Breathing these fumes and oxides in can lead to anything from mild irritation to chronic health issues like asthma, bronchitis, decreased lung capacity, emphysema, pneumonia, as well as disorders developed due to breathing in foreign bodies. Many welders will experience pneumoconiosis, caused by dust particles, siderosis, caused by iron oxide dust, or silicosis due to exposure to silica.

Respirators filter out these harmful particles, so welders can breathe easily. They keep the fumes and disease-causing oxides out of your lungs so you can stay healthy. This shows the importance of welding safety equipment. Without the proper equipment, welders put themselves at risk for chronic diseases.

Thick, Flame Resistant Clothing

Welders consistently work with a fire risk. They work with hot rods that can easily give a welder third-degree burns if they are not wearing the proper equipment. Every inch of skin should be covered. Any exposed skin leaves the welder open to a higher risk for injury. 

Aprons are a good idea as well as long pants and long sleeve shirts. Pants should not be cuffed as cuffs collect sparks. pockets should have flaps or be taped shut for the same reason. Avoid synthetic materials like polyester. These melt when exposed to high heat.

Ear Protection

Welding can get very noisy. Prolonged exposure to loud noises can lead to hearing loss. Understanding the importance of welding safety equipment can save your hearing. Ear plugs and ear muffs muffle sounds so they do not damage your hearing.

Gloves

Your hands are the part of your body that comes closest to danger. Hammers, heat, metal, and more put your hands at risk. Cut-resistant welding gloves can protect your hands from cuts and abrasions while also keeping them safe from stray sparks and burns. If you value your hands, you need to understand the importance of welding safety equipment like gloves.

Boots

No one should ever come near a welding machine wearing open-toed shoes. That welder will get burned, will cut themselves, or drop something on their foot. To prevent harm coming to the feet, welders should wear close-toed, high-top, leather, steel-toed, rubber-soled shoes will keep the feet safest. Pants and boots should overlap. No skin should be exposed on the ankles. If the shoe remains uncovered, the welder opens themselves to collecting sparks in their shoes.

Welding Gear

Now that you understand the importance of welding safety equipment and welding PPE, let’s discuss the welding gear welders need to keep themselves and everyone around safe.

Welding Screens

One of the most important pieces of welding gear you can own is a welding screen. If you do not have a separate space you can dedicate to welding, a welding screen becomes a necessity. 

A proper welding screen can help business owners optimize space while also keeping everyone safe. The welding activities happen within the welding screen while other activities happen simultaneously outside of the welding screen. Welding produces noise, fumes, and high temperatures. Welding screens keep these dangers contained. 

Welding screens come in many sizes to fit your business needs. Singer Safety Offers welding screens in six colors, three styles, and three materials. 

Welding Blanket

Another piece of welding gear that epitomizes the importance of welding safety equipment is the welding blanket. Singer Safety manufactures high-quality Temp/Tex welding blankets. These blankets provide heat protection and thermal insulation up to 10000 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a welding blanket that will fit your needs.

Welding Safety

We all know the importance of welding safety equipment. Welding gear creates a barrier between the welder and dangerous materials that can cause burns, cuts, and chronic illness. Unfortunately knowing the importance of welding safety equipment and owning the gear is half the battle. Welders need to perform their job responsibly if they want their gear to do the job it was designed to do. 

Inspections

Welding gear should be inspected before every use. Only begin the task when the tools have been deemed in good condition. 

Remain in Work Area After Finish

Just because the machine is turned off does not mean that it is safe. If a welder walks away from a hot machine and does not check for smoldering, the surrounding area can easily catch fire. The welder should remain in the work area for around thirty minutes to ensure all smoldering fires are completely extinguished.

Training

A bit part of welding safety is understanding what you are doing. Everyone who uses the welding gear should clearly understand the importance of welding safety equipment. They should know what to do in the case of an accident, know where fire extinguishers are, and how to use the equipment in a way that will not hurt themselves or others.

Singer Safety Welding Safety Equipment

Know that you know the importance of welding safety equipment, you need a provider you can trust. Singer Safety provides many industries with safety equipment including welding and safety screens, noise control systems, industrial curtains, vinyl door strips, and automotive curtain systems. Our welding gear will keep your employees safe.