Welding is one of the more dangerous trades out there. If you are a welder, you should know practicing the right safety habits could save you a hospital visit. With this in mind, here are five tips for practicing safer welding habits.
Take Note of Your Working Area
On smaller projects, you should bring your working materials to a clean area with adequate ventilation and slag guards. Welding without proper airflow could lead to an explosion due to combustible dust, so avoid it at all costs.
Your working area should have a ventilation system installed on the premises for commercial use. You should also use a respirator to eliminate airborne particles if you don’t think the ventilation is adequate.
Dress Appropriately
Wearing appropriate gear while you weld is one of the most important things you can do to ensure safety. Your workwear should be fire-resistant and comfortable enough for you to move around in.
It’s still possible to look good and be safe if you purchase FR slim-fit jeans. Other materials you should wear while welding are gloves, goggles, and a welding helmet.
Make Sure Your Workspace Is Grounded
As a welder, you will deal with plenty of conductive materials in your day-to-day work. Certain metals can conduct electricity well, so an ungrounded workspace could be at the center of an electrical circuit if you aren’t careful. Ensuring that your workspace is free of metal floors, standing water, and any other conductive materials will help you avoid getting electrocuted.
Keep Your Workspace Fire-Proof
Wearing the right clothes will protect you from both electrocution and burning, but there are other tasks you should do to keep your working area flame-resistant. First, keep flammable items far from your welder because the spatter can go as far as 35 feet from where you weld. Second, cover flammable items with a fire-resistant blanket if you can’t move them due to their size or weight. You should also ensure your workspace has a fire extinguisher and working fire alarm.
Follow the Hazard Control Hierarchy
When you’re in a hazardous situation, you should follow the hierarchy for hazard control, and stop welding. There are five steps in this hierarchy.
Elimination
Remove the hazard from your working area.
Substitution
Changing something in your project to avoid a hazard. One example of substitution is to weld with a less reactive metal than the one you were using.
Engineering Controls
Isolate yourself and your coworkers from the hazard.
Administrative Controls
You should also consider changing your workflow or administrative process to enhance safety protocols.
PPE
Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.
Overall, being a welder is an essential but hazardous occupation. Now that you know these tips for practicing safer welding habits, you can weld without worry.