Safety Gear 101: Welding, Brazing, and Cutting Proper PPE is a Must Welding is everywhere. It’s done in machine shops, manufacturing facilities, on construction jobsites, in the automotive industry, and so many other places. Anywhere two pieces of metal need to be joined, there’s a good chance someone will need to weld. But considering the work involves molten metal, electricity, and intense amounts of light, safety is paramount. Head to Toe Welding safety affects the operator and those in the workspace. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is very important for welders and those in the surrounding area. • Shaded and protective hoods or helmets are needed to protect against spatter, sparks, and light. • Welding caps help protect the head from sparks, reduce sweat drip to the eyes, and provide overall improved comfort to the wearer. • Jackets made from flame-resistant material are often the preferred method of protection worn to cover any bare skin. • If a welding jacket is not available, leather or flame-resistant sleeves are another good option to protect against slatter, sparks, and other welding hazards. • Welding gloves are one of the most critical pieces of PPE associated with performing this task. Always assume metal is hot and sharp. Leather is a great material for gloves and, depending on the type of welding being performed, different types of leather work better than others. • Leg protection is another key element of head-to-steel-toe PPE. Flame-resistant pants should be worn at all times, and NO rips, tears, cuffs, or frays should be present due to further risk of injury associated with welding. • If your employer requires protective footwear, safety toed shoes should be worn with leather coming up over the ankles. Flame resistant laces, outsoles, and/or leather spats are critical in protecting feet from burns, as well as maximizing the wear-life of your footwear, whether protective steel toe or not. A Number to Know In 2018, more than one-third of lost-time injuries reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics were the result of thermal or heat burns . SAFETY FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTACT: SAFETYQUESTIONS@FASTENAL.COM OR 1-833-FNL-SAFE WF_687750 | JF 6/23 6.2023 | AD
Download PDF file