| Welding is a potentially very dangerous and | | | | insulated welding gloves. These are necessary to |
| hazardous job. Therefore it is essential that you | | | | protect your hands from burns and radiation. |
| have the right protective equipment needed | | | | Welder's gloves are usually made of leather and |
| before you start. | | | | are fire-resistant. |
| When you weld you produce a huge amount of | | | | Finally you need to insure that the rest of your |
| heat, light and fumes that can be incredibly | | | | body is protected. You should always wear |
| harmful to you. So to shield you from these | | | | clothing of heavy materials such as wool or thick |
| dangers you need to have the right protective | | | | cotton. These materials are harder to ignite and |
| equipment. | | | | therefore provide better protection against burns. |
| To start with you should have a welding mask | | | | You should avoid wearing any synthetic fabrics as |
| and safety goggles that you wear underneath | | | | they will burn easily and can melt onto your skin. |
| your mask. These welding masks will guard you | | | | When choosing your clothing you need to make |
| against the damaging effects of the ultraviolet | | | | sure that all the parts of your body are |
| and infrared lights that are produced whilst | | | | completely covered. This means wearing |
| welding. They will also protect your head and eyes | | | | long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, definitely no |
| from flying bits of metal, slag, burns and fumes. | | | | t-shirts or shorts. Your clothing needs to be kept |
| If your welding mask doesn't cover the whole of | | | | clean and free from holes, tears or frays. Any |
| your head then it may be necessary for you to | | | | clothing that is stained with oil, grease or any |
| wear further headgear. A welder's fire-resistant | | | | other solvents will be more at risk of catching fire. |
| cap will protect your head from flying sparks and | | | | Whereas clothing that has holes or is frayed will |
| burns. Similarly earmuffs will shield your ears | | | | be more likely to let heat and sparks through or |
| against flying hot metal and also guard them from | | | | become snagged on something. |
| excessive noise. | | | | It may also be necessary to wear a leather, |
| Another important piece of safety equipment | | | | fire-resistant apron when welding as this provides |
| when welding is a good pair of boots. The boots | | | | good body protection from sparks and burns. |
| should be made of leather, steel-toed and | | | | As long as you follow these guidelines when you |
| high-topped. These will help protect your feet and | | | | start welding you should be protected from all the |
| ankles from injury. | | | | potential dangers and will be able to weld in |
| The next area of safety equipment to look at is | | | | safety. |
| gloves. You should always wear dry, thick, | | | | |