welding saftey
- Thread starter stanley
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I ended up with basically a sunburn on my arms after I tried mig with just gloves and no sleeves. I now wear sleeves!!. I've also figured out the hard way why welders wear those goofy hats - and now wear one too!!
As far as damage to eyesight - a few weeks ago I asked a welding inspector on a pipeline project if there was any safe distance to watch a welding arc without eye protection and he said no. Still kind of hard to believe but he was a pipeline welder for most of his life and I defer to his experience/wisdom.
As far as damage to eyesight - a few weeks ago I asked a welding inspector on a pipeline project if there was any safe distance to watch a welding arc without eye protection and he said no. Still kind of hard to believe but he was a pipeline welder for most of his life and I defer to his experience/wisdom.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Most, if not all, auto darkening helmets are 100% UV protected even if the darkening does not work. The darkening is just so you can see what you are doing. I cover up with leather, including a leather apron and have no welding burns yet. It really is a bad idea to weld in running shoes. Those little sparks hurt like h*ll-so wear leather boots. So, wear as much leather as you can afford, and cover everthing else with 100% cotton. Any skin you show will be exposed to intense UV and so will get sunburned.
Something that hasn't been mentioned yet is a respirator. During the welding process dangerous gasses are generated. A good welding supply store or the internet would be a good source for such a mask. As was already mentioned, I don't wear anything but a nomex coat with leather sleeves, an autodarkening helmet, good gloves and a respirator. You can't been too careful.
Happy welding...it is a lot of fun.
Happy welding...it is a lot of fun.
Ditto...I spent the $50 for a nice HD soft split leather welding jacket (upper thigh length) plus welding gloves. Usually I am welding on a table so pant legs and shoes are not an issue. However for any other welding where sparks are hitting shoe area I wear my leather boots.
And be sure, as most garages contain a can of gasoline, used oil and many other types of flammables including what's in your lawnmower, weedeater, chainsaw, etc., to keep the welder/sparks isolated from any flammable fume source.
What dangerous gasses are created?
Zinc, for one I believe, is toxic to weld....however most would grind the zinc plating away. I can only imagine the smoke byproduct of any arc welding process is full of toxins.
Without getting into the science of it all "Metal Fume Fever" is a well known phenom that can effect anyone who welds. Headache, slight fever, aches and pains are common - it feels like a mild case of a bad flu and usually clears in a day or sometimes two. I've had it several times, and I'd imagine that you have too, Mace, though maybe you thought it came from something else. Get close to your bead - close enough that the smoke can enter under the lip of your helmet and notice a few hours later that you fell like crap.
Zinc and Cadmium fumes can be deadly, and there are several cases of experienced weldors who, thinking that a smalll job would be safe, or being in a hurry, or just careless, sometimes ignorant, have died. Sometimes days later. There are other metals, or platings used on metals that can be very harmful or even fatal if inhaled.
Run a fan close by, use a respirator mask under the helmet, put in a fume extraction system; but mostly find out and stay aware.
MrMoMo
That's not rust, it's Canadian patina...
Bah, over-rated... Just stop breathing while you are welding!! (kidding of course)
There is definately Nastyness in welding fumes. Read the label on your mig welding wire.
There is definately Nastyness in welding fumes. Read the label on your mig welding wire.
It's been my understanding that fosgene gas is created when welding aluminum for example. I agree that numerous toxic gasses are created when welding. Just an argument for using a respirator.
kevinmrowland
Forum Lifer
Don't hold a live electrode and the ground.
very important.
very important.
MrMoMo
That's not rust, it's Canadian patina...
Dont chip hot slag without face protection!! (OUCH!! -it sticks!)
I'm the safety and education officer for my 4x4 club. During our winter vehicle safety inspection/safety training meeting I had the Miller Welder rep come out. He brought some cool welders we could play with but the more important part of the meeting was when he played a dvd training video and covered the safety aspects of welding. Even the old timers said they learned something.
Mostly common sense. When welding alone (which isnt a good idea) stop every 20 seconds (pretty easy to do) and look around and check for slag fires. Also use welding blankets when available. Of course always have good ventilation when welding. Some of your gases are heavier than air and when say for example laying on the floor welding overhead you can actually drown yourself out in fumes. So weld for a few minutes then get out catch a little fresh air and go back in. A few minutes will save you alot of time in the long run.
Also I think everyone realizes this, NEVER WELD GALVANIZED STEEL! big no no those are some bad fumes. Also zinc is pretty bad and not properly prepped aluminum can screw with you pretty bad as I learned from experince. When grinding aluminum dedicate them to aluminum only pads. But grind pretty aggresively and about 2" excess on each side of the weld to protect against the fumes.
Hope that helped! (weldor in training)
Also I think everyone realizes this, NEVER WELD GALVANIZED STEEL! big no no those are some bad fumes. Also zinc is pretty bad and not properly prepped aluminum can screw with you pretty bad as I learned from experince. When grinding aluminum dedicate them to aluminum only pads. But grind pretty aggresively and about 2" excess on each side of the weld to protect against the fumes.
Hope that helped! (weldor in training)
