Taking the proper precautions in an industrial environment helps prevent accidents and also allows workers to perform at the highest level possible without the fear of injury. Welding, like all other metal-working methods, requires specific equipment and safety measures. Here are some general safety tips that all welders will benefit from keeping in mind during a project.

How to Stay Safe While Welding

1. Wear the Right Clothes

Because welding involves extreme heat and showers of sparks, wearing the right clothing during a project is an important safety precaution. Synthetic fabrics are not fire-resistant and will melt if exposed to flames or hot metal. Wool, on the other hand, offers a strong protective barrier against fire and sparks.

2. Avoid Spark Pockets

If a spark or pieces of smoldering metal gets caught in a piece of clothing, it can burn through and cause serious injuries. To help prevent this, never cuff your shirt sleeves or pant legs while welding. Additionally, tucking your pant legs into your boots can be dangerous. This makes it easy for falling sparks to get trapped in your boots instead of dropping to the floor when a pant leg is draped safely over the footwear.

3. Protect Your Eyes

Wearing a welding mask shields your eyes from sparks, but it also has another important purpose – blocking out harmful ultraviolet radiation. Welding arcs emit both infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. While IR can be felt as heat, UV can’t. This might lead some welders to think their eyes are protected if they can’t feel the direct heat but this isn’t true. UV radiation can cause “welder’s flash,” a serious condition that can permanently damage eyesight.

If you’re a serious welder in Waynesboro, Charlottesville, or Harrisonburg, VA, and are looking for high-quality safety equipment, Wayne Oxygen & Welding Supply is ready to provide the goods. With products from Lincoln Electric Company and Miller Electric Manufacturing, the company has supplied everything from welding masks to compressed gas for nearly 60 years. If you have a question about a specific piece of equipment, the knowledgeable staff will help you find exactly what you need. Visit the website for an inventory and services list or call (540) 942-4145 to speak with a friendly representative.