DIY Welding at Home? The Safety Gear You Shouldn’t Skip

Many Aussies like to turn their hand to welding at home to repair a gate, build a workbench or tackle a trailer project. If you are one of them, then you’ll need to pay serious attention to the heat and bright arc.

Primarily, this is because a welding arc can damage unprotected eyes and skin, while sparks may travel further than expected. Additionally, fumes, noise, hot metal and electrical equipment can add other risks to your activities. 

For this reason, it is advisable to take a few sensible precautions to make your workspace much safer before you strike the first arc. Here are seven pieces of safety gear you should have on hand.

1. Welding Helmet

Wearing a welding helmet is imperative because it protects your eyes and face from ultraviolet and infrared radiation, sparks and small pieces of hot metal. In fact, looking at a welding arc without proper protection can cause a painful injury commonly known as arc eye.

When choosing a helmet, you are recommended to use one that meets the relevant Australian and New Zealand safety standards. Suppliers such as Apex Welding Safety offer quality products that meet code.

One of the most popular options is a fixed-shade helmet. However, if you choose this option, you must pick the right shade for the work you are doing. Alternatively, an auto-darkening helmet is a particularly good choice. It lets you see the workpiece before the arc starts and darkens automatically when welding begins. Some models have adjustable sensitivity and shade settings, which might be useful if you alternate between MIG, TIG and stick welding.

Whatever helmet you pick, make sure it feels secure without being uncomfortable.

2. Safety glasses

Your helmet protects your face while it is lowered. However, many workshop injuries occur when welding has stopped, because tasks like slag removal, wire brushing, and grinding can send sharp fragments towards your eyes.

You are recommended to always wear impact-rated safety glasses with side protection underneath your helmet. Doing this will ensure you continue to protect your eyes when you lift the helmet to inspect or clean the weld.

Some people wear prescription glasses and sunglasses for everyday use and when welding. But they are generally not suitable enough unless they have the appropriate impact rating. Before you start welding, give the glasses a quick once-over for scratches, cracks, or other signs of damage.

3. Welding Gloves

Welding gloves primarily protect your hands from heat, sparks, sharp metal and ultraviolet exposure. However, they also buy you some protection if you accidentally touch a recently welded workpiece.

The most suitable style of gloves will depend on what part of the welding process you are completing. MIG and stick welding, for instance, usually call for thick leather gloves because they produce more heat and spatter. TIG gloves, on the other hand, are generally thinner and give you more control over the torch and filler rod.

Whenever you wear gloves, make sure they cover your wrists and overlap your sleeves. You should also replace them as soon as the leather becomes badly cracked, stiff or worn. NEVER use wet gloves when operating electrical welding equipment.

4. Clothing

When welding, it is important to cover your arms, legs and torso with flame-resistant clothing. Leather and suitably treated cotton are considered among the best options because they offer protection against sparks and heat.

It is important to avoid polyester, nylon and other synthetic materials. These fabrics can melt against the skin when exposed to high temperatures. Your clothes should also be free from oil, grease and frayed edges.

When working, be sure to fasten shirt pockets, cuffs and collars so they do not catch sparks. You may even want to wear a leather welding jacket or apron if you will be performing the work for an extended period. It is also a good idea to have additional protection around your head, shoulders, and neck when engaging in overhead welding.

Whatever you do, it is vital not to leave small patches of skin exposed. That’s because even if sparks do not reach them, ultraviolet radiation from the arc can cause burns similar to severe sunburn.

5. Welding boots

Something else you should wear, which is often overlooked, is a good pair of welding boots. Enclosed leather work boots protect your feet from falling objects, sparks and pieces of hot metal. It can also be helpful if they have a slip-resistant sole, especially when the garage floor is dusty or covered with small metal offcuts.

As comfortable as they might be, you should not weld while wearing runners, sandals, or mesh-panelled footwear. Sparks can pass through the openings, and synthetic sections can even melt.

A handy trick to remember is to wear your trousers over the tops of your boots rather than tucking them inside. This stops hot particles from falling directly into your footwear. Additionally, wearing boots with safety toes may provide additional protection when handling heavy steel.

6. Hearing Protection

Welding is often only one part of a fabrication job. Other aspects include cutting, grinding, drilling, hammering, and slag removal. All of which can generate damaging noise levels. Especially inside a metal shed or enclosed garage.

While noise can seem tolerable for a short period, it can still cause harm. To reduce the stress on your eardrums, it is a good idea to wear compact earplugs that fit easily beneath a welding helmet. Earmuffs may also be suitable. So long as they do not interfere with the helmet or prevent it from sitting correctly.

7. Masks

Depending on the work you are doing, you may need a suitable welding respirator or mask to reduce your exposure to fumes and airborne particles.

An ordinary disposable dust mask is not suitable for every welding hazard. Instead, the correct respirator you require will depend on a range of factors, including the metal, surface coating, welding process and contaminants produced.

When choosing your mask, make sure you pick a model intended for welding applications that fits comfortably beneath your helmet. For extra protection, consider getting a welding extractor.