Always use approved protective equipment

Arc welding, like any occupation in the industry, has many dangers. However, as long as the correct risk assessment is completed, careful observation is made, and protective equipment is used, the welding process is safe. Always use approved welding safety equipment.


Strong light/UV radiation generated during welding
The arc is the most obvious symbol of welding, but behind the brilliant lights and sparks there are dangers. Viewing an arc without protective equipment can cause permanent damage to vision, and even short-term exposure can cause surface burns to the eye, ultimately leading to what is known as "electrophthalmia" or "flash burn." Ultraviolet and infrared radiation as well as physical elements (such as hot splashes) can damage the eyes and burn unprotected skin.


Eye protection during welding
Welders' eyes require effective and reasonable protection, usually through the use of an approved welding helmet and welding filter lenses. Lenses (auto-darkening filters) and passive lenses (approved tinted glass welding goggles) for welding masks provide 100% protection against UV radiation.

Welding helmets or welding masks need to be worn for long periods of time. They vary widely in protection levels, weights, and balance options, so be sure to choose the right model and protection level for your application and personal situation. A welding helmet or welding mask equipped with auto-darkening welding goggles can simplify and speed up the welder's work throughout the welding process.


Lung protection during welding
You can choose to use a welding helmet with a face shield or a welding mask. They have proper ventilation systems for clean breathing air to protect welders from daily exposure to toxic and harmful fumes and gases that are considered carcinogens, or chemicals known to cause cancer. Such ventilation systems are called welder respirators and PAPR systems. A complete respirator system consists of a filter unit, hose set and overhead unit. Welder respirator systems are officially rated based on the level of protection they provide to the wearer, i.e. how well they exclude contaminated air from the welding environment. This classification level is based on more than just the filtration efficiency of the filtration system. It is the total leakage level derived from the combined measurements of the respirator system and is called the Total Inward Leakage (TIL) Performance Level.