Stay Safe: 5 Essential Welding Safety Tips You Need to Know

Nearly 50% of all US products require the work of welders, from smartphones to airplane carriers.

Welding exposes everyone working at the site to similar hazards whether it’s in a manufacturing company or small independent fabricators. Welders should take precaution while at work and implement safety measures that improve productivity.

The right safety measures reduce costs that the company would incur in case of serious accidents. Being a risky career, the welders need to implement multiple safety measures to ensure the environment is safe.

Here are 5 essential welding safety tips you need to know and implement at your workplace.

1. Read the Welders Operating Manual

An operating manual is used by welders as a guide on how to maximize the machine’s potential while also providing safety information. Employees should be conversant with the contents of the manual if they are to work efficiently.

Every manufacturer ensures their equipment has a manual, if lost or damaged, one can inquire one from another from the manufacturer. In the case of a small business, a welding safety policy center at a nearby area that is easily accessible would work effectively.

2. Button up, Reduce Skin Exposure

The welding career requires one to dress up in a special uniform to prevent any harm. Skin exposure is prone to damaging and painful effects from infrared and ultraviolet rays. Ensure that you cover all parts of the body.

This action prevents sparks from catching up in open pockets or down in an unbuttoned shirt. The sparks can smolder unnoticed while the welder is covered by a hood. Welders should avoid wearing cuffed pants, as sparks can easily light up the cuffs.

3. Wear the Right Gear for the job

The best foot protection is provided by boots or high-top leather shoes. A heavy shoe protects exposure from the sparks. A burning sensation can be what you feel if you ignore this warning.

Even a quick weld requires proper gear, from gloves, clothing to the helmet. A welding jacket, flame-resistant clothing provides the best safety any welder could need. The excuse of the gear being too heavy or hot is not enough if you are looking to increase productivity while mitigating the risks.

Welders operate in a high-flame environment and it’s suicidal to have matches or butane lighters in your pockets.

4. Protect Your Eyes, Don’t Face the Light

The face is the most important part of the body to protect. It only takes seconds of exposure to the ultraviolet rays for the welder to experience an “arc flash”.

Helmets should be fitted with the proper welding safety glasses to protect the eyes and face during welding. Picking the appropriate lens shade to fit the types of welding is crucial.

Besides, the welding area should have barriers to protect other people from the arc that can affect them adversely.

5. Use the Stick and Carrot Approach

This approach is vital for the large scale welders with many employees. The approach seeks to incorporate safety measures as a daily routine rather than a program.

When employees are rewarded for participating in safety activities, the rest will easily implement the same to receive the rewards. The approach is best applicable where employees treasure the need to follow safety procedures while welding.

Welding Safety is Key

Safety procedures require keen implementation and continuous approach. For welders especially, it should be a daily routine that can reduce the multiple risks that they face.

The above tips offer some of the best guidelines for ensuring a conducive working environment for your welding business.

Check out this page for more information about welding safety.