What personal protective equipment for the use of a torch?

Welding equipment or PPE

Personal Protective Equipment or PPE protects welders from accidents that may occur during the exercise of their trade. Workers often carry out torch welding. This technique involves risks related to contact heat or radiation.

To deal with this, welders use accessories to avoid metal projections on a part of the body.

What protection for a welder?

Welders must avoid any incident caused by ultraviolet radiation, molten metal splashes or blue light. They can therefore use various equipment, including:

• Leather gloves with cuffs to protect the hands and forearms;
• safety shoes against falling metal parts;
• welding helmets suitable for workers;
• Welders' leather aprons in flame-retardant cotton;
• Suitable glasses for torch welding;
• Earplugs against splinters from flying metal.

Preferably, the helmet shell should be opaque and electrically non-conductive. Effective welding equipment must ensure maximum worker safety.

Why do welders wear protective masks?

Whether arc welding, oxyacetylene or oxycutting, welders must wear breathing masks. They protect the face and eyes against radiation. Welders can put on these masks with welding helmets with screen material. Accompany it with an internal glass to secure the eye against shards and metal projections.

Borch welding

For torch welding, protective masks are not necessary. To protect yourself from burns related to contact heat, just wear filter glasses. Their lining must be made of thermal material to avoid the effects of sudden changes in heat. Filter frames are used to fit lenses in increasing order of darkening.

Oxyacetylene welding

During arc welding, welders are constantly exposed to thermal risks. This concerns cases of massive inhalation leading to bronchial hyperactivity. This disease occurs after regular exposure, and it can become serious. Unlike arc welding, oxyacetylene consists of joining acetylene and oxygen. Because of this, welders adopt precautions against molten particles.

PPE for flame cutting

Among the different techniques, welders use flame cutting methods. Thus, the intensity of blue light can cause retinal damage and visual fatigue. For this, polycarbonate plastic lenses with a filler will be perfect. During welding operations, welding helmets also limit the risks caused by contact heat.

Which breathing mask for welding?

Other incidents may occur when using electrical currents, pressurized gases, etc. Thus, welders can choose reusable breathing masks with dust filters. Some materials cause respiratory illnesses related to chlorinated solvents. In addition, welders can put on helmets with a photosensitive filter that darkens according to the intensity of the arc.

How to weld with a torch?

Before welding, use personal protective equipment that complies with European standards. They are used to reduce excessive noise levels, spark penetration and eye burning sensation.

Wear workwear made of non-flammable technical fabric. However, the fireproofing treatment decreases in effectiveness after washing. However, synthetic fabrics ignite quickly during gas arc welding with tungsten electrode.

Once equipped, you are ready to handle the torch safely. Next comes the method for operating the torch.

How the torch works

For welders, the torch is a frequently used tool. Also, it is generally easy to use. Standard models have an ignition button that just needs to be pressed. The on and off turn button is also common.

Don't forget the personal protective equipment. They protect you from burns due to contact heat and radiation.