Welding involves intense heat, so working during the summer poses a higher risk of heatstroke and dehydration. Having to wipe sweat can also create hazards when handling equipment. Below are a few tips to help you stay cool and focused while executing a project. 

A Welder’s Guide to Coping With Heat

1. Drink Enough Water

Stay hydrated throughout the day, and keep a water bottle handy as you work. Sports drinks can also replenish the potassium and magnesium you lose through sweat.

Aim to drink around half a gallon of water per day, even if you don’t sweat or feel thirsty. Stay alert for symptoms of heatstroke, including dry, hot skin. 

2. Choose the Right Tools

The size of a welding gun's handle increases with the device’s amperage. A larger tool is more difficult to grasp, increasing the amount of energy you exert.

Select a gun that’s the appropriate amperage for the job. When in doubt, go for a smaller handle to get better control and maneuver it more easily.

3. Wear Cooling Accessories

With cold inserts placed inside its many pockets, a cooling vest helps keep your body temperature down. You can refreeze the inserts to reuse them multiple times.

Some welders find these vests to be bulky. As an alternative, you can use a cooling headband or belt, which keeps your head cool and allows for air circulation around the torso.

When you need welding supplies, trust Wayne Oxygen & Welding Supply Co. With locations in Waynesboro, Charlottesville, and Harrisonburg, VA, they’ve served customers since 1959. They offer a comprehensive range of TIG and MIG welding equipment, as well as a wide selection of compressed gases for all types of applications. Call (540) 942-4145 to ask about their current inventory, or visit them online to explore their offered products.