Welding Safety Apparel and Clothes - Weldingmart.com

Q: Why is safety so important for welders?

A: When it comes to welding, safety is essential because welding can be dangerous work if precautions are not taken. Welders use strong electrical currents and assorted gases to create an intense heat that results in extremely bright light and noxious fumes. This hazardous work area is about 2 feet from your face and only inches from your hands, so you have to be careful.

Q: What is personal protective equipment in welding?

A: Commonly called PPE, personal protective equipment is the special gear used by welders to shield themselves from the trade's dangerous aspects.

Most PPE items are worn by the welder. Made from stronger, thicker materials, these helmets, jackets, gloves and more are made to resist exposure to the hazards in a welding environment. Some PPE, however, takes the form of special machines that are set up at the job site, such as fume extractors.

Q: What PPE do you need for welding?

Q: Can you tell me how to wash a leather welding jacket?

A: A leather welding jacket, or any leather welding equipment, can be washed safely in a way that doesn't compromise its protective qualities.

In general, avoid your washing machine. Fill a tub with cold water and add a scoop of detergent. Let the jacket soak for about 30 minutes, so that the detergent can work its way into the fibers and loosen tough stains, then rinse.

Once the jacket has been soaked, you can scrub off any dirt, stains or grime. Tougher stains can be fought with dish soap. Once you're done, rinse in cold water and hang dry. You can use a clothes dryer on low heat as well.

Washing your welding leathers is important - letting them get too dirty risks contamination with metal particles, bodily fluids and any loose, harmful substances you encounter at a work site. But more importantly, you want to wash them for comfort, in order to keep your skin from getting irritated.

Q: Can you tell me what to look for in a welding apron?

A: Good fit and thick, high-quality material. Genuine cowhide or pigskin leather are highly rated, and the thicker, the better. The same goes for flame-retardant cotton and heavy denim. Avoid plastics such as polyester, because the material could melt into your skin.

Make sure the fit conforms to your body type and can handle the shifting and moving that your body does while on the job.