New_DTC_Logo
Request Info
(866) 733.6652
  • Programs
    • Allied Health
      • Dental Assisting
      • Medical Coding Specialist
      • Medical Assisting
      • Phlebotomy Course
    • Mechanical Trades
      • HVAC/R Technician
      • Industrial, Commercial, & Residential (I/C/R) Electrician
      • Welding
      • Welding & Pipefitting
    • Truck Driving
      • Professional Truck Driving
      • CDL Training Course
    • Cosmetology
      • Cosmetology
      • Cosmetology Instructor
    • Continuing Education
      • Pipe Fitting
      • Dental Radiology Seminar
  • Campuses
    • Horn Lake, MS
    • Ridgeland, MS
  • Admissions
    • High School
      • Welding Competition
    • For Military Students
    • Financial Aid
      • Financing Options
      • Tuition and Cost
      • Net Price Calculator
      • Student Loan Management
      • 1098-T
    • Scholarships
      • MTI DTC High School Scholarship
      • Terms Conditions
    • Catalog
  • Student Services
    • Student Portal
    • Transcript Request
    • Student Accounts
    • Elearning
      • E-Learning MS Teams
      • E-Learning Canvas
      • E-Learning Pearson
    • DTC Apparel
    • Student Resources
      • Housing
      • Externships
      • Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention
      • Student Complaint Procedures
      • Campus Safety
  • About
    • Why Delta Tech?
    • Blog
      • Resources
      • News & Events
    • Emergency Financial Aid Grant — HEERF
      • Emergency Financial Aid Grant — HEERF Institutional
      • Emergency Financial Aid Grant — HEERF CRRSAA
      • Emergency Financial Aid Grant — American Rescue Plan
      • HEERF Student Grants – Quarterly Reports
    • Delta Tech Employment Opportunities
    • Curriculum
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Search
  • Request Info
New_DTC_Logo
Request Info
(866) 733.6652
  • Programs
    • Allied Health
      • Dental Assisting
      • Medical Coding Specialist
      • Medical Assisting
      • Phlebotomy Course
    • Mechanical Trades
      • HVAC/R Technician
      • Industrial, Commercial, & Residential (I/C/R) Electrician
      • Welding
      • Welding & Pipefitting
    • Truck Driving
      • Professional Truck Driving
      • CDL Training Course
    • Cosmetology
      • Cosmetology
      • Cosmetology Instructor
    • Continuing Education
      • Pipe Fitting
      • Dental Radiology Seminar
  • Campuses
    • Horn Lake, MS
    • Ridgeland, MS
  • Admissions
    • High School
      • Welding Competition
    • For Military Students
    • Financial Aid
      • Financing Options
      • Tuition and Cost
      • Net Price Calculator
      • Student Loan Management
      • 1098-T
    • Scholarships
      • MTI DTC High School Scholarship
      • Terms Conditions
    • Catalog
  • Student Services
    • Student Portal
    • Transcript Request
    • Student Accounts
    • Elearning
      • E-Learning MS Teams
      • E-Learning Canvas
      • E-Learning Pearson
    • DTC Apparel
    • Student Resources
      • Housing
      • Externships
      • Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention
      • Student Complaint Procedures
      • Campus Safety
  • About
    • Why Delta Tech?
    • Blog
      • Resources
      • News & Events
    • Emergency Financial Aid Grant — HEERF
      • Emergency Financial Aid Grant — HEERF Institutional
      • Emergency Financial Aid Grant — HEERF CRRSAA
      • Emergency Financial Aid Grant — American Rescue Plan
      • HEERF Student Grants – Quarterly Reports
    • Delta Tech Employment Opportunities
    • Curriculum
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Search
  • Request Info

The Importance of Welding Protective Gear and Welding Safety Equipment: A Welding Safety Checklist

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is important for welders because there are hazards when welding, cutting, and brazing. These hazards can include exposure to metal fumes and UV radiation, burns, shocks, cuts, and broken toes.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) [1] and the American Welding Society (AWS) [2], the best way for welders to stay safe on the job is to wear head-to-toe protection and use welding safety equipment. Although not all of the following safety measures are required, it’s important for welders to have the right welding protective gear to help prevent work-related injuries.

If the right safety measures are taken, welding can be a satisfying career choice. Delta Technical College offers two programs in welding: Welding Program and Welding & Pipefitting Program. All welding programs at Delta Tech include safety training.

Welding Safety Supplies to Prevent Eye Injuries

  • Welding Helmets

A welding helmet is one of the most important pieces of welding safety gear welders use. According to the OSHA fact sheet on eye protection [3], the radiant energy or light radiation from arcs or flames can cause injuries to welders’ eyes. A lens shade number indicates the amount of light radiation that can pass through the filter on a welder’s helmet. Choosing helmets with the proper lens shade number [3] is essential to preventing eye damage and should stop exposure to harmful radiation. A proper welding helmet can also protect against sparks reaching a welder’s face or eyes.

Auto-darkening filters [4] (ADFs) on helmets are also suggested by the AWS. ADFs may reduce repetitive stress injuries caused by raising and lowering the filter, and the fixed setting reduces many risks associated with exposure from lifting the filter. A simple welding cap or beanie, which can be worn under a helmet, is often included on welding safety equipment or personal protective equipment (PPE) lists.

  • Safety Glasses

The most common welding injuries are eye injuries caused by particles, irritation, or UV radiation exposure, and they account for nearly one-quarter of all welding injuries. Wearing safety goggles is an OSHA requirement [4] and the type of protection used must comply with ANSI Standard Z87.1 [5], Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection.

Welding Safety Supplies for Full-Body Protection

  • Welding Jackets

A welding jacket is standard for any welding safety gear list or PPE list [6]. While leather is often recommended because it isn’t flammable and provides protection, many welders find leather too hot and prefer fire-resistant cotton jackets with leather sleeves. Some welders also choose to wear leather aprons under their jackets for an extra layer of protection.

  • Gloves

A welder should never work without gloves. According to OSHA [6], it is essential that welders use the correct gloves specific to the jobs they are performing. Welding gloves may be made of leather, canvas, or metal mesh and cover a welder’s hands and lower arms.

  • Boots

A good pair of boots or foundry shoes is important for every welder and should comply with Active Standard ASTM F 2413 [7], Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear. The standard boot style on most PPE lists and for many welders are leather work boots with rubber soles and steel toes. Some welders choose boots without laces to prevent the risk of sparks burning the laces.

Metatarsal covers [6] can be placed over laced boots to lower the risk of sparks igniting, and to provide extra safety from foot injuries that can happen on the job.

Welding Safety Equipment for The Work Environment

  • Fire Extinguishers

There are some fire risks associated with welding. Arc welding in particular can pose a high fire risk, so all welding shops should have fire extinguishers according to OSHA regulations [8]. It’s also important to remove all hazardous or flammable materials from all welding shops and job sites.

  • Grounding Equipment

The choice of grounding tools may vary depending on the type of welding equipment used and the risks associated with welding jobs. To avoid the risk of electric shock, it’s important to ground all welding equipment [9] that isn’t double insulated.

  • Welding Respirators

There are a variety of different welding respirators [10], and should be chosen based on the welders’ needs. The AWS recommends them for welders [10] because of the risk of asthma and pneumonia from exposure to fumes. Welding respirators can be worn under helmets and should fit comfortably.

Begin Your Path to Becoming A Welder

The demand for welders is on the rise, with a projected job growth of 6% nationally through 2026. If you’re interested in becoming a welder, please contact the Admissions Team at Delta Tech for more information about their welding programs.

Sources:

[1] https://www.osha.gov/
 
[2] https://www.aws.org/
 
[3] https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHAfactsheet-eyeprotection-during-welding.pdf
 
[4] https://www.aws.org/library/doclib/fs31-201404.pdf
 
[5] https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHAfactsheet-eyeprotection-during-welding.pdf
 
[6] https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3151.pdf
 
[7] https://www.astm.org/Standards/F2413.htm
 
[8] https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=9853&p_table=STANDARDS
 
[9] https://www.thefabricator.com/article/arcwelding/staying-grounded
 
[10] https://www.aws.org/resources/detail/dealing-with-welding-fumes
 
[11] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm#tab-1
 

Filed Under: Careers, Resources

Get More Information

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Resources

  • Careers

Programs

  • Medical Assisting
  • Dental Assisting
  • Welding
  • Welding & Pipefitting
  • HVAC/R Technician
  • CDL Training Course
  • Professional Truck Driving
  • Cosmetology
  • Cosmetology Instructor Training
  • Medical Coding Specialist
  • Industrial, Commercial, & Residential Electrician
  • Phlebotomy Course
  • Dental Radiology Seminar

Campuses

Horn Lake, MS
(662) 280-1443

Ridgeland, MS
(601) 206-5200

Student Services

  • Externships
  • Student Accounts
  • Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention
  • Student Complaint Procedures
  • Transcript Request
  • Student Portal

Admissions

  • Why Delta Tech?
  • Military Students
  • Financial Aid
  • Scholarships
  • Welding Competition
  • Catalog

About

  • Accreditation
  • State Licensing
  • Campus Safety
  • F.A.Q.
  • Graduation Enrollment and Outcomes Disclosures
  • DTC Employment Opportunities
  • Sitemap

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy Copyright © 2020 Midwest Technical Institute
MTI/DTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program | Emergency Financial Aid Grant