Welding Equipment Choice – Ensuring Quality and Safety During The Welding Process

Welding is used as a part of fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or other types of material together. The materials are heated, melted and mixed to produce a joint with properties similar to those of the materials being joined.

A number of welding supplies are needed in the welding process: welding rods, welding gloves, welding machines, cables, torch hose, holders and more. The quality and origin of the welding equipment used during the process is very important, to deliver the safety and performance needed

Welding is a hazardous undertaking and precautions are required to avoid burns, electric shock, vision damage, inhalation of poisonous gases and fumes, and exposure to intense ultraviolet radiation. Certain protective measures – providing personal protective equipment (PPE), including filter shades for goggles, face shields to protect the eyes from radiation, and gloves and other protective clothing to cover exposed skin are needed. PPE is provided and selected by ensuring that the equipment is:

suitable for the nature of the work and any hazard associated with the work a suitable size fit and comfortable maintained, repaired or replaced when required and used or worn by the worker 

ENSURING SAFETY DURING AND AFTER THE WELDING PROCESS

Workers should always have their eyes, face and head protected whenever they are welding. The hazards are: light, radiation, burns from hot debris and sparks. Eyes, face and head protection (e.g. goggles, helmets, hand shields and protective filters) are needed to avoid these risks.

Ear plugs or ear muffs may be required to minimise the risks of noise that can lead to hearing loss.

Gloves or gauntlets are needed to protects from heat, ultraviolet light and burns from hot debris and sparks. Gloves should be fire resistant and protect exposed skin on the hands and wrists.

Clothing also needs to be protective from heat, ultraviolet light and burns from hot debris and sparks (flame resistant long sleeved shirts, long trousers, aprons and leather spats). Avoid clothing that has the potential to capture hot sparks and metals, for example in pockets or other folds. Clothing should be made of natural fibres.

Foot protection is needed from hot metal debris, other metal debris and electric shock. Foot protection should be non-slip and be heat and fire resistant. Avoid using foot protection that can capture hot sparks and metal debris – like open style shoes or laces.

Screens are needed to protect against exposure to the rays of an arc during electric welding operations. Opaque or appropriate translucent screens can be used to protect the health and safety of people within the vicinity of welding.

Respiratory protective devices (face respirators and air supplied respirators) are needed to protect from dusts, hazardous fumes, gases and chemicals and oxygen depleted atmospheres. Respirators should be fitted for each user individually and if one is to be used by another operator, it must be disinfected and refitted before use. The tightness of all connections and the condition of the face piece, headbands and valves needs to be checked before each use. Air supplied respirators may be required in some situations, like confined spaces.

Taking in account these measures and using the recommended equipment ensures that the process of welding is carried out in a safe manner and environment, providing good results each and every time.

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