Archive for January 12th, 2012
Welding Safety Tips
The proper approach to welding will not only improve the safety of workers, but will also enhance productivity. Safety is not just about looking after workers, but it is also about protecting businesses as a whole, and fostering values that will see them well in the future.
Welding is inherently and universally dangerous. Wherever you weld and to whatever extent, the dangers involved will be similar, as will be the methods by which you mitigate these dangers:
It is crucial that welders follow correct safety procedure. This is learnt both practically and academically, and a welder should ensure that they read the operating manual thoroughly and commit proper working methods to memory.
Even small-scale or quick welds need the proper safety gear. This is includes the right clothing (long-sleeved) and other items like helmets and gloves. This safety gear is optimised to protect welders from the specific dangers that they experience as they work, such as sparks and visibility problems.
Welds can give off dangerous levels of fumes, and so often there is a need for respirators or exhaust hoods. Remember, not all hazards can be seen, and the dangers of smoke, fumes and heat are very real, and have to be attacked accordingly.
Welding and cutting tools can, like anything in the workshop, be very dangerous. Your approach to mitigating these dangers should be multi-dimensional, and involve rigorous training and the correct safety gear. At Buck and Hickman we don’t just sell tools, but we also sell high quality safety gear too.