Welding is a high-risk job and carries serious accident or injury risks. From feet injuries to burns to even cancer- welders are exposed to numerous health hazards. If you have a welding workshop, as an employer, it’s imperative for you to ensure the safest possible working environment for your employees. One of the most important things to do here is to ensure proper protective gears for your welders. The post below offers a brief on the most crucial safety gears you must get for your employees.
Protective gear for face and eye safety
Helmet is a major safety gear for welders for all round protection of forehead, face, neck as well as ears. Focus on helmets with cover plate and filter lens that comply to ANSI Z87.1 standard. The helmet will protect from flying sparks, radiant energy and spatter.
For eye protection, invest in safety goggles for welders. The safety glasses will be flanked by side shields that will offer solid guard against grinding fragments, slag chips, flying metal as well as bristles from wire wheels.
Protective gear for ear and head safety
The helmet alone won’t be enough to keep a welder’s ear and head safe in a high-risk loud welding workshop. For ears, you should also invest in ear muffs or plugs to prevent risks of hearing loss. The earplugs should be especially accredited to be used in a welding environment. In regards to head safety gear, you should get special welder’s cap (fire resistant) that would be worn under helmet.
Protective gear for feet safety
You will need to get special welder’s boot for your employees. The best welding boots are those that strictly comply to ASTM F2413 and ASTM F2412 standards. Compliant boots usually carry compliance marks. So, make sure to check the mark before you invest in a pair.
Look for high-topped welding boots made from sturdy leather with steel-made toes. They should be fire-resistant to protect ankles and feet from burns caused by heavy sparks.
Protective gear for hand safety
Welders need heat-resistant hand gears for protection against sparks, burns, cuts, heat, electric shock and scratches. As an employer, you would have to invest in special certified welding gloves that comply to ANSI Z49.1 standard. Welders must wear flame-resistant, insulated, hole-free and dry welding gloves. Given the intense nature of welding projects, it’s natural that the gloves will get damaged after a point of time. Make sure to replace them at regular intervals to keep your welders safe.
Protective clothing for body safety
What’s the best and safest form of clothing for a welder? Well, a welder should wear oil-free clothing made from heavy cotton or wool. Heavier materials are needed here as they can resist damage and are tougher to ignite. But, the choice of clothing should also allow easy flexibility for the wearer. Most importantly, the clothing must offer coverage for every part of a welder’s body.
Last but not the least, you should also invest in NIOSH and OSHA certified respiratory equipments for your welders.
