Safety Procedures for Welding

When welding there are many safety procedures to consider such as proper equipment which meets safety regulations, secure surroundings and an efficient environment which includes lighting, temperature and easily accessed equipment and materials. Following procedures can reduce injuries and even save lives.

Safety Equipment and Clothing

• A man wears a welding helmet and jacket.

  Safety equipment is a must when welding. You should have welding gloves that are dry and water resistant with no holes or tears, a welding helmet and either a heavy cotton shirt or a jacket specific to welding. Wear heavy boots and make sure you have no loose or long pieces of clothing. You should prepare a large and heavy surface to weld your material on. When working with extremely hot metal, the welding table should not be at risk to tip over.

Secure Your Surrounding

• A man welds.

  Make sure your surroundings are safe and secure. Remove flammable material from work space, such as an paper, clothing, combustible items and liquids and make sure wires and electrical circuits are all functioning and are not damaged. Wires need to be checked frequently for damage. Turn off and disconnect all equipment when not in use, out of service or damaged. Read all instructions and manuals before operating welding equipment. To keep from tripping or falling, make sure the work area is clutter free and prohibit horse-play. Make sure all people welding are trained and qualified for the job.

Ergonomics

• Welding at a work desk.

  Convenience in the welding workplace should be a priority. Ergonomics is the science of specific design for efficiency. Consider the materials the worker will need and place them to be conveniently reached without bending, reaching far or overhead, and without having to lift heavy weight. The lighting, temperature and noise levels should also meet the needs of the workers. Discuss with the workers their needs in the workplace and design the work area with the workers help.