An experienced welder knows the hazards of their profession. To maintain your safety, health and well-being, follow these safe welding practices.

Wear personal protective equipment

Wear the right personal protective equipment (PPE). At a minimum, this includes: 

• Leathers
• Heat-resistant gloves 
• Safety glasses under a filtered lens welding hood
• A face shield if wearing filtered welding goggles 
• Hearing protection
• Leather work boots, which may include metatarsal protection
• Hearing protection

Note that hearing protection isn’t just for air arcing or plasma cutting. Even regular welding requires earplugs. Many welders have had popping slag lodge in their ears, which requires medical attention.

Another hazard that’s often overlooked is exposure to infrared and ultraviolet rays generated by the welding process. These light rays can cause short-term effects, such as welder’s flash. When you have welder’s flash, your eyes feel gritty and burn for a couple of days. You can even develop cataracts.

Eliminate electrical hazards, fumes and combustibles

Electrical and fume exposures are common in welding. Ensure that welding leads are intact, the plug and receptacle are not damaged, and the area is well-ventilated to dilute and remove welding fumes.

Fires and burns are also hazards for welders. It is important to wear appropriate PPE and proper clothing (cotton, not nylon or synthetics that melt to the skin). Before you begin welding, inspect the area and remove any combustibles or flammables. You may also need to obtain a hot work permit.

Be conscious of your posture

Back pain and lower back problems can occur from prolonged awkward body positions. These can range from short-term muscle pain to long-term spinal misalignment. Finding ways to maintain good posture or relocate welding work can reduce your risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

Protect those around you

Communicate your work intentions with others working in the area. Set up curtains or screens to shield other workers from the bright light generated by welding. Remember that welding light is bright enough to reflect off objects and still cause eye hazards, depending on the location and position of other people in the area.

Your assistant must also protect their eyes with filtered lenses. It is not enough to simply look away from the flame. Flip-up lenses are OK since your assistant will need to be able to see when welding is not in progress. Often, assistants are the spotters, keeping unauthorized people away from the welding area. Your assistant should also look out for incipient fires that may start if blankets or other fire-resistant materials are not adequately placed.

Educate other workers about welding hazards and how those hazards may impact their work. For example, if other workers are operating in a nearby confined space, it is possible for welding fumes to migrate into that space. If you must weld near or inside a confined space, set up mechanical ventilation and monitor the air. And keep the pressurized cylinders or welding machine outside the space. 

Finally, take extra precautions when doing elevated or overhead welding work. This can produce falling spark and slag hazards. Barricade the area directly below the welding work.

After welding is complete, watch for fires and clean up

In hot work areas, watch for fires for at least 30 minutes after welding is complete. Have a fire extinguisher on hand or a suppression system in place. Once the fire risk has passed, remove fire blankets, screens and curtains, and put away welding equipment. Unused or partially used welding rods on the floor can pose slip-and-fall hazards. 

Welding work is inherently hazardous. But when everyone involved is aware of the hazards and the protective measures needed to stay safe during and after welding, you can do your work and avoid injuries.