Field jobs often require specific protection gears, and welding is not an exception. The profession needs welders to deal with heat, fumes, sparks, and hot metal on a daily basis, making it vital to wear gears and equipment that can reduce the risks. One thing to note is that the clothes and equipment needed need to be comfortable, safe, and durable. In short, understanding the basic safety procedures of the job is crucial as it is also a form of investment. Thus, this article lists what welders need to wear to protect them from threats.
Helmets
The head should always be the number one priority when it comes to safety and protection. Not only because of its vulnerable characteristic, but also because of the presence of vital organs, such as the brain and eyeballs. For that reason, helmets should always be present in any welding activities.However, the one that offers full protection is the one with a full-face feature, firm structure, and auto-darkening lenses. All those features aim to protect the head, face, and hair.
The auto-darkening lenses serve to protect the welder’s eyes from both the sparks and high-intensity light. In addition to it, the glasses also aim to detect the active welding stick, even when it is not in use. This way, welders can guarantee their safety.
Apron
Another essential thing to ensure the protection is the apron. Remember that the front part of the body also needs protection as it is the part with the most exposure to the fume and flame sparks. Combining the apron with welding sleeves and gloves will make sure to cover all the front parts that need proper protection. One plus point of such a combination is that it offers more flexible movements compared to wearing a full welding jacket. Selecting the one with lighter materials is also advisable since it supports more flexible moves.
Boots
Different from regular working boots, welding boots are known to have special designs and features. First, the boots should be made from leather to protect the feet from sparks and flames. Second, it needs to be fully enclosed to give full coverage for the skin. Third, a pierce-proof design is what welders need to work in a working site where sharp metals are commonly known to cause injuries. Fourth, the soles should be made from materials that are resistant to electric shocks. The last, steel toes are also necessary to protect toes just in case the welder accidentally drops a heavy piece of metal.