MIG welding safety should be taken extremely seriously. Why? Because the welder needs to be protected against the forces of gas, heat, light, and electricity that MIG welders produce.
Welding safety is important because molten metal, scathing ultraviolet, noxious fumes, and infrared light are amongst a few hazards that welders deal with whenever they wield. Wearing the correct safety equipment can protect you from these dangers, so you can focus on welding.
MIG Welding Safety Principles.
The principles regarding MIG safety are fairly straightforward. You should always take note of the following MIG welds safety measures:
- Using a respirator when required by the MSDS,
- Cleanliness
- adequate lighting,
- locating welding machines in a dry location on the floor of a welding booth,
- checking for gas leaks, and ventilation per OSHA standards
- checking MSDS for each metal being welded
What Safety Equipment Are Needed For MIG Welding?
In MIG welding, there is a specific list of equipment that’ll be needed to complete each welding task. Going forward, you’ll know the tools and equipment that’s necessary for MIG welding in general. Here is a list down below that’ll give you all the information on the equipment needed for MIG welding.
Welding Helmets.
You must shield your face and neck from radiation and sparks, a welding helmet is essential to welding itself. Without a helmet – hood or mask. The powerful radiation spewed by the arc can damage your eyes and skin.
Auto-darkening welding helmets are recommended for new and experienced welders. Why? You don’t need to flip them up and down whenever you weld or stop welding. Auto-darkening helmets make it easy to develop constant high-quality welds. Even better, they eliminate neck fatigue caused by flipping conventional fixed-shade helmets. You should know there are so many factors to consider when choosing a welding helmet.
Other Face and Eye Protection.
When working in close districts, it’s often impossible to wear a full welding helmet. In situations like this; you can wear hand-held face shields and goggles. These goggles are equipped with #5 lenses and even more designed for cutting and brazing – although welding goggles don’t give enough shade for more powerful welding processes. Even better you can use the Miller Weld-Mask which is an innovative solution for close-quarters wielding. Its features include a hood to protect your neck and face.
Safety Glasses
It’s good you know this; welding helmet manufacturers recommend the wearing of safety glasses beneath your welding helmet, so waste no time in finding a pair that’s compliant with national safety standards and even more so comfortable.
Gloves
When you plan on welding, it’s good if you wear flame-resistant welding gloves that go a long way to promoting productive and focused welding — protection is vital — your hands work in a region close to the arc, and in turn, you’re exposed to intense radiation and heat. But being skillful is also important, especially when TIG welding. When you plan on buying a glove, there are different options to choose from also.
Heavy-duty MIG welding gloves are specially made to protect wielders from spatter and heat. Look for gloves with stitching that’s heavy and flame-resistant with multiple layers of insulation. A few heavy-duty welding gloves have features like silicone patches for extra protection from heat and spatter. While standard-duty MIG welding gloves are usually made up of leather, offer more agility, and are less than heavy-duty gloves. The TIG welding gloves combine durability and flexibility, to allow extra mastery, TIG gloves are soft and unlined, leather, and heat-resistant.
Body Protection
Just like all welding safety equipment, welding jackets are helpful. They’re flame-resistant, durable, and they fit properly, but most importantly, they should be worn by a welder. Comfort is a key ingredient in wearables, so it’s advisable you choose a jacket that’s appropriate for the overall welding process and application.
Respirators
A melting metal emits a variety of fumes, thus wearing a respirator is a good way to keep all of those nasty things from your lungs. Some respirators are designed to filter tiny particles of metal and fit beneath a welding helmet that’s blown to the air during arc welding.
Aprons and Sleeves
When an apron and sleeves are worn beneath a jacket – it can offer additional protection to a welder’s chest and legs. You should pair it with a flame-resistant shirt and leather sleeves for proper protection during light-duty welding.
Bonus: Boots
You must always wear leather work boots that correspond with local safety standards. Boots made specifically for welding offer additional protection atop your foot, in turn shielding your laces from sparks and also safeguarding your metatarsal from heavy objects.
Conclusively, If you weld periodically you can consider heat-resistant leather spats. Spats can protect you — the welder — from sparks and spatter, although they aren’t as expensive as welding-specific boots.