| When working in a high heat environment - | | | | sparks and slag. For high temperatures, the best |
| including gas welding and cutting, electric arc | | | | protective clothing is leather or fire retardant |
| welding, and carbon arcing or plasma arc cutting - | | | | garments. When wearing leather or fire retardant |
| you are exposed to a number of hazards, | | | | garments, it's important to remember that the |
| specifically: | | | | protection they offer will be compromised if they |
| - Molten metal, | | | | are soiled with oil, grease, solvents, or other |
| - Toxic gases, fumes, and vapors | | | | flammable or combustible substances or if they |
| - Harmful radiation | | | | are in poor condition (holes, fraying, etc.). Pants |
| - Excessive noise | | | | should not have cuffs. Also, if garments have |
| - Electrical shock | | | | open pockets, the pockets need to be Velcroed |
| - Fire hazards | | | | or taped shut to prevent sparks or slag from |
| Personal Protective Equipment is an important | | | | entering. |
| step in protecting against these hazards (and in | | | | - Foot protection: Heavy objects (metal plates, |
| most situations, is an OSHA requirement). The | | | | for example) and falling sparks and slag can cause |
| type of work being performed will dictate the | | | | foot injuries. High-top leather boots or low-top |
| safety gear that needs to be worn. However, | | | | leather boots in conjunction with leather spats |
| there are five categories of equipment that | | | | provide protection from sparks and slag. In order |
| should be considered when doing all hot work. | | | | to protect toes from heavy objects that are |
| - Respirators: Respirators provide protection from | | | | dropped, the boots should be safety (steel-toe) |
| the inhalation of harmful gases, fumes, and | | | | boots. |
| vapors. Respiratory protection needs to be | | | | - Hand and wrist protection: Hand and wrist |
| considered when hot work is performed in | | | | protection are also important PPE because high |
| confined or enclosed spaces. Air-purifying | | | | temperature tasks expose your hands to cuts |
| respirators should be worn when doing hot work | | | | and burns (both from heat and UV or IR |
| on surfaces containing lead, cadmium, or mercury. | | | | radiation). Leather welding gloves generally provide |
| Supplied air respirators (air-line respirators) should | | | | the necessary protection during hot work. Leather |
| be used when hot work is performed on | | | | gloves also provide a degree of cut resistance-an |
| beryllium. Respirators may also be necessary | | | | important factor when handling sheets of metal or |
| when working on surfaces covered with toxic | | | | other sharp materials. For carbon arc welding, |
| substances, such as solvents or paints, since the | | | | long-cuffed leather gloves are most appropriate, |
| high temperatures involved may vaporize these | | | | and for welding, cutting, or burning, short-cuffed |
| materials. | | | | welding gloves. Like protective clothing, in order to |
| - Eye protection: Using appropriate eye protection | | | | provide adequate protection, leather welding |
| is important to protect your eyes from both | | | | gloves need to be in good repair and free from |
| ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation. Welding, | | | | flammable and combustible materials such as oils, |
| cutting, and burning goggles which are shaded are | | | | grease, and solvents. |
| used to protect from UV and IR radiation. To | | | | Other PPE to Consider |
| protect your face from flying materials such as | | | | Other PPE that should be considered depending on |
| slag, a face shield should be used in conjunction | | | | the task and work area including: |
| with goggles. Welding helmets with shaded glass | | | | - Hearing protection for environments with very |
| viewing ports are used during carbon arc welding | | | | loud intermittent noise or persistent loud noises. |
| to protect the face, neck, and eyes from UV and | | | | - Head protection (i.e., a hard hat) for work areas |
| IR radiation. When selecting eye protection for hot | | | | where there are potential overhead hazards from |
| work, it is very important to ensure that the | | | | falling objects or materials. |
| proper lens shading is used for the work | | | | - Personal floatation devices when working in an |
| performed. (And remember that anyone working | | | | area where there is potential for falling into the |
| or standing near the work area should also wear | | | | water. |
| appropriate protective eyewear.) | | | | - Fall protection systems such as positioning |
| - Protective clothing: Hot work (obviously) | | | | systems or personal fall arrest systems for work |
| produces heat, creating a burn risk. Protective | | | | performed at heights. |
| clothing helps to reduce the chance of burns from | | | | |