Safety Concerns for Welders

Welders are present in many of the industries we serve, from manufacturing to construction. These individuals face a variety of safety concerns in their day-to-day work, including hazards specific to welding and those already present otherwise in their workplaces. These hazards for welders include risks of burns, eye damage, electrical shock, fumes, and more. As such, unique PPE decisions are pivotal for keeping your welders safe.

When considering the needs of your welders, it is important to understand the range of welding practices and acknowledge that you will need to make decisions based on the specific needs of your environment rather than seeking a one size fits all approach. The big picture is welding techniques can be categorized as either fusion or pressure welding with a variety of different practices falling under each. Electric arc welding is the most common format of fusion welding and brings with it a variety of fume and respiratory concerns. The most common welding practices are Gas Metal Arc (MIG) Welding and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding, which produce the least amount of fumes and are most commonly used by our clients. 

As with all workplace hazards, step one in addressing safety concerns is to engineer out as much as possible before PPE enters the conversation. In the context of welding, this means ensuring surfaces are free of coatings that may create toxic fumes, providing general ventilation, and adding local exhaust ventilation as applicable. 

With the environmental concerns addressed, PPE comes into consideration:

Gloves: 

Hand injuries make up a large portion of workplace injuries, and this remains a concern for welders. Selecting the appropriate glove is the best way to ensure the hands are kept safe. For welders, we consider the needs for heat and arc protection, and in some cases cut protection. We source a variety of welding gloves from Black Stallion, Weldas, and Global Glove to cover the range of needs from MIG/TIG to stick welding with cut resistant options available as well. 

Apparel:

Because of the arc and burn risk, Flame Resistant (FR) apparel is essential for all welders. This includes full coverage long sleeves and pants. There are a variety of options for achieving the appropriate coverage from coveralls to bibs and sleeves. As with all apparel, proper fit is essential and required by OSHA for welding PPE. This means that the proper size and design must be considered for all welders, ensuring there is not excess loose fabric creating additional hazards. For welders who are women, women’s welding gear is readily available from many trusted vendors, ensuring that all workers have access to the PPE that will best ensure their safety and meets OSHA regulations. We source our welding gear from a variety of vendors including Weldas, Tingley, and Black Stallion to ensure a wide range of options. 

Face and Eye Protection:

There are a broad range of face and eye protection considerations for welders. IR lens glasses are available from Global Glove and Pyramex in a variety of styles to best fit the wearer. However, in many cases, a welding helmet will provide the best protection. 

Other Welding Safety considerations: 

In addition to the PPE above, welders may need additional accessories for the safe execution of their work. This includes sweat pads, doo rags, and other high heat accessories, fall protection rated for use during welding, screens/umbrellas, pads for kneeling, or a variety of other environmentally or ergonomically necessary items for the safety and health of the welder. We have worked to source these needed items from vendors including Safewaze, Weldas, and Black Stallion. 

This brief summary of the many considerations surrounding welder safety is not an in-depth review of all the safety concerns for welders, but it is a great place to start as you either begin selecting or are reconsidering PPE for your welders. As with every safety concern, each unique environment will require different choices, and we are here to help discern what options may work for your crew. Reach out to us at 919-602-2503 or sales@safetypackonline.com if you have questions we can help with!

This blog is not a safety plan nor is it a recommendation for your welding PPE decisions. 

Sources:

1. OSHA Safety & Health Topics: Welding Cutting, and Brazing: https://www.osha.gov/welding-cutting-brazing/hazards-solutions

2. OSHA Controlling Hazardous Fumes Fact Sheet: https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA_FS-3647_Welding.pdf

3.  NASD Arc Welding Safety: https://nasdonline.org/1083/d000873/arc-welding-safety.html

4. OSHA Final Rule on PPE Proper Fit  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/12/2024-29220/personal-protective-equipment-in-construction