Welders, Get Your Welding PPE Ready!

Welding PPE Checklist

Talk to any welder, and you’ll hear it: not many care about personal protective equipment (PPE).

Employers overlook it, and welders themselves sometimes brush it off. Patrick, a welder with 15 years of experience, knows this firsthand. “When I started demanding PPE, my coworkers laughed, calling me too sensitive for this job,” he recalls. “But things have changed now. We want to keep working for years, so we have to take care of ourselves.”

This shift is gaining momentum, especially among younger welders. They see PPE not as a burden but as essential for safety and longevity in a tough industry. For Patrick and many others, it’s a badge of professionalism. “There’s no shame in being safe,” he says. 

PPE for Ears

Welding PPE for ears

According to Patrick, seasoned welders often neglect one of the most critical aspects of safety: protecting their ears.

“Wait until you’re stuck with constant ringing in your ears,” he warns. This condition, known as tinnitus, is a persistent sound in the ears, like ringing, buzzing, or hissing, that doesn’t go away.

It’s a common issue among welders, caused by prolonged exposure to the high-decibel noises that are part of daily work—grinders, arc welding, falling metals, chainsaws, and more.

Hearing damage is insidious. Unlike other workplace injuries, it doesn’t come with visible signs like blood or pain. Instead, it builds over time, often unnoticed until significant and irreversible harm has been done. 

Patrick’s advice is straightforward: wear ear plugs. Even if your employer doesn’t provide them, invest in low-profile ear plugs that fit comfortably under your helmet. 

“Trust me,” Patrick says, “you don’t want to find out what silence really sounds like.”

PPE for Your Lungs

Welding PPE for lungs

Siderosis, also known as “welder’s lung,” is a common yet preventable hazard in the welding profession. It develops from inhaling iron fumes over the years, and according to Patrick, a veteran welder, it’s often underestimated.

“Many rely on ventilation alone, but it’s not always enough,” he says. Mild coughing or shortness of breath might seem harmless at first, but without proper precautions, these symptoms can escalate into chronic respiratory issues or even lung cancer.

Patrick has seen the consequences firsthand: older welders forced to leave the trade or rely on breathing aids due to permanent damage. To avoid such outcomes, proper PPE is crucial.

This includes a well-ventilated workspace combined with Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) or helmets equipped with advanced filtration systems. PAPRs are particularly effective, but the best strategy is to use all these protective measures together.

PPE for Your Eyes

Welding PPE for Eyes

Eyes are among the most sensitive parts of the body, and welders face a unique threat: arc-eye. This painful condition, often described as sunburn for the eyes, results from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted during welding. Arc-eye doesn’t just hurt, it can also impair vision permanently if left unchecked.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety strongly emphasizes wearing a combination of protective glasses and helmets.

A welding helmet fitted with a filter shade is essential to block harmful welding light.

For optimal safety and convenience, auto-darkening helmets are the gold standard. These helmets adjust their shade automatically when the welding arc is triggered, offering welders continuous protection without needing to flip the visor up and down.

One standout option is the Helios welding helmet. The most important difference here is that we have combined AI and the auto-darkening feature together, a combination that’s doing wonders for welders.

PPE for Your Hands

Welding PPE for Hands

When it comes to welding, your hands are your most valuable tools, but they’re also among the most exposed.

Patrick recalls co-workers suffering from radiant burns, a hazard caused by the intense ultraviolet radiation (UVR) produced by an electric arc. “It’s not just direct exposure,” he explains. “Reflected UVR from metal surfaces can burn your skin, even if you’re not looking at the arc directly.”

The solution? High-quality welding gloves. These gloves are designed to shield your hands from heat, UV radiation, and molten metal splatter.

Look for gloves that cover not just your hands but also part of your forearms for added protection. Choose durable materials like leather with reinforced stitching, as they can withstand the harsh conditions of welding.

PPE for Your Body

When it comes to welding, protecting your body is just as important as safeguarding your hands, eyes, and lungs. This is where welding jackets and aprons come into play. 

The key is to avoid synthetic fibers at all costs. Synthetic fabrics, like polyester, are essentially plastic; they can melt and catch fire almost instantly.

Instead, Patrick recommends 100% cotton or 100% wool, as both are naturally more flame-resistant. For those working with intense arc welding or in professional settings, investing in a flame-resistant jacket is a wise decision. These jackets are specially designed to withstand high temperatures, making them ideal for heavy-duty tasks.

Patrick also stresses the importance of long sleeves, even if you’re just welding as a hobby. 

For hobbyists, even basic cotton clothing is better than wearing synthetic blends.

You Can Never Be Too Safe in Welding

When it comes to welding, safety is a shared responsibility. Employers and welders alike must prioritize proper personal protective equipment and safe practices. 

Patrick, a veteran welder with 15 years of experience, credits his longevity in the trade to his unwavering commitment to safety. “Nothing good ever comes from being careless,” he says. By demanding the right PPE and fostering a safety-first culture, Patrick has not only protected himself but also set an example for others in the industry.

His mindset is simple yet powerful: taking safety seriously today ensures you can keep working tomorrow. 

Remember: there’s no such thing as being too safe.

HELIOS SMART TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

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