like a sunburn) and dark-colored; black and dark blue are good options.
Before welding, check to see that your clothes are free from oil and anything else flammable. They should also be tight fitting and free from holes and frayed or torn edges. Here are a few more clothing-related details to bear in mind.
❯❯ Shirts: Wear long-sleeved shirts only, and tuck your shirttail into your pants. If you wear a shirt with front pockets, make sure they have flaps covering them so that sparks can’t fall down inside. Keep your shirt sleeves rolled down at all times.
❯❯ Pants: Make sure your pants cover the tops of your shoes or boots so that sparks can’t get in.
❯❯ Gloves: Protect your hands with leather gauntlet gloves. Don’t wear cotton gloves at any time.
❯❯ Boots or shoes: Go with leather boots or shoes, and make sure they come up high on your ankle. Leather is the best option because it protects you from the hazards and heat created by the welding process. The tops of the shoes should be smooth so sparks don’t get trapped.
❯❯ Hats or beanies: You can buy a welder’s beanie to keep your hair from catching fire – not a bad idea.
❯❯ Leather jackets: A full leather jacket protects you from sparks and slag when you’re doing work in unusual positions, but many such jackets are very hot and heavy to wear. If a leather jacket is too hot and uncomfortable, you can buy leather sleeves and bibs only. These items are cooler and more comfortable, but they do leave your back unprotected.
❯❯ Leather aprons: These items protect your lap, and I highly recommend wearing one if you plan to sit down while welding.
❯❯ Spats: If you’re going to have a large amount of sparks and slag (the waste products that come from the flux) falling at your feet, you may consider getting some spats (shoe covers). Leather spats greatly reduce the risk of burns on your feet and damage to your shoes or boots.
If you’re going to be working with metals or other materials that can produce toxic fumes – check your MSDS to be sure – you should wear a respirator. Simply welding or cutting certain materials can cause a welding plume, which is a mixture of dangerous gases, fumes, and smoke, and that’s definitely not the kind of thing you want to inhale if you’re interested in avoiding respiratory problems.
Figure 3-3 shows four types of respirators:
❯❯ On the top left, you can see a welder’s mask, which works to keep fumes out of your lungs.
❯❯ The mask on the top right has canisters that filter fumes and other hazardous materials while you’re welding. You can get different types of canisters to match the kinds of hazards specific to various welding projects.
❯❯ The basic dust mask on the bottom left offers the least amount of protection.
❯❯ The mask on the bottom right filters out particulate matter, so it’s a step up from the basic dust mask but doesn’t do much to protect you from harmful chemical fumes.
FIGURE 3-3: Four different respirator masks.
In order for a respirator to be completely effective, you need to fit it with the right filter. Check your MSDS to find out which filter you need to protect your respiratory system from a given substance. You can also ask for help at your welding supply store.
Observing Basic Safety Rules
I’ve heard that some people are accident prone, but I just don’t believe that – especially when it comes to welding. Welding accidents occur when welders act carelessly, don’t read instructions, and don’t follow safety regulations. Every year, thousands of people are injured because they don’t take safety precautions while welding.
In many ways, welding safety is a habit. It’s the result of taking the appropriate precautions over and over, every time you weld. Following are a few safety tips that you should make a habit of in your welding shop:
❯❯ Don’t take chances while welding.
❯❯ Don’t use any welding equipment or supplies until you’ve thoroughly read the instructions and any additional safety information.
❯❯ Any time an accident occurs, be sure to fix the problem that caused it before doing any additional welding.
In addition to these very basic safety tips, you also need to be familiar with a few more-involved safety goals, and that’s what I cover throughout the rest of this section.
When it comes to your welding area, practice good housekeeping. Take the time before, during, and after a welding project to make sure the area is tidy and organized. Here are a few pointers to help you accomplish the goal of maintaining a shipshape welding shop:
❯❯ Designate a place for all tools, and when you’re done using a tool, be sure it goes back in the correct place. At the end of a welding project (or at the end of the day), clean all tools and inspect them for any damage that may have occurred while you were welding.
❯❯ Keep cables neat and free of knots. Nothing makes for a worse tripping hazard than messy tangles of cables.
❯❯ If you have any combustible items in your shop, be sure they’re stored away safely before you start to weld. (“Storing flammable liquids and gases” later in the chapter gives you the lowdown on proper safekeeping of such items.)
❯❯ Be sure your work area has adequate lighting. A well-lit workspace is less likely
