Dangerous fumes, fires or explosions, welding exposes everyone to similar health and safety risks and hazards. We can avoid accidents and injuries in the workshop if we follow the best welding safety practices and we use the appropriate safety equipment.

Here are 6 tips for improving your welding safety:

1.- Identify the hazards and the limits of your welding operation

Depending on the welding operation we are going to perform, we will need to check different issues according to the distinct hazards, but in general local ventilation, using the appropriate equipment in the best possible conditions and working with less hazardous materials are three of the best advices to start welding. Eventually, we will need to monitor constantly the air in the work area and check we don’t surpass the advisable limits.

2.- Read the owner’s manual and ask for training

Manufacturer’s recommendations are always the best safety guidelines, so we should read the welder’s operating manual to run the machine safely and also to maximise its performance. Besides, all welders should be trained in safe use of equipment, work practices and emergency procedures.

3.- Use protection

Safe welders protect themselves from all the potentially harmful effects of arc welding, always wearing the proper gear -fire-resistant personal protective clothing such as denim pants and a welding jacket -, including helmets, goggles, and other eye protection containing special filter lenses or plates. Don’t forget about the shoes. High-top leather shoes or boots provide the best foot protection, do not use tennis or clothing shoes.

4.- Clean breathing

Fumes and smoke emitted during welding are one of the main health hazards. Use an exhaust hood to remove fumes from the area and ensure enough clean breathing air is available. Some materials specifically require respirators when welding.

5.- Don’t watch the light.

Eyes are the most sensitive part of our body when it comes to welding performance and ‘arc flash’ is one of the most common injury. It takes just a moment of exposure to a welding arc’s rays for unprotected eyes to experience this painful condition.

Arc flash is a burn of the outer layer of the eye ball caused by the intense ultra-violet radiation generated by electric welding arcs. Pain may not appear until hours after the exposure.

This is one of the reasons why choosing the right helmet is crucial.

6.-  Medical care

Depending on the type of welding, it may be necessary for you to have medical surveillance of lungs, skin, eyes, hearts, and hearing on a regular basis.

Source: Soldamatic http://www.soldamatic.com/en/6-tips-improving-welding-safety-workshop/