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Allow you to position the work to avoid welding on the floor unless absolutely necessary. You
will not do you best work there.
Be free of drafts on the work from fans, wind, windows, and doors, yet still have adequate
ventilation to reduce the inhalation of welding fumes.
Provide bright light: welding in sunlight is better than in dim light because the non-glowing
parts of the weld show up better.
F because better welds will result at these temperatures than welds made in cold
temperatures. However, acceptable welds can be made at ambient temperatures in the 4050F
range except where the weld specifications call for preheating.
Be outfitted with all the necessary personal safety equipment for the processes to be used.
Welding Helmets
Welding helmets protect the eyes and face from radiation and mechanical injury. Helmets are made
of fiberboard or fiberglass and have a tinted plate or window for viewing. These tinted glass plates
are available in a series of shades or densities so visibility and protection at a range of arc currents,
or light levels, is possible. In general, the higher the welding current, the higher the radiation level,
and the higher the shade of the protective lens required. Table 2-1 shows the recommended shade
numbers for common processes and current levels. Today, in addition to the traditional welding
helmets with glass plates, welding helmets with electronic faceplates, sometimes called autodarkening filters(ADFs), are very popular because they have become inexpensive and offer these
advantages:
The welder does not need to raise and lower his helmet when performing a series of welds. He can
always see where he is with the helmet down.
The beginner does not have to master holding his electrode steady when he drops his helmet. This
permits beginners to perform better welds earlier in their training.
Electronic faceplates offer continuous eye protection from infrared radiation coming off red-hot metal
even when they are not in the darkened mode. Electronic faceplates are just easier on the eyes.
Steel Plate
Operation
Thickness
(inches)
Arc Welding
Welding
Lowest
Comfort
Current
Shade
Shade
(A)
Number
Number
>60
60160
10
160250
10
12
250550
11
14
>60
60160
10
11
160250
10
12
250500
10
14
>50
10
50150
12
150200
10
14
4, 5
TIG
>1/8
/81/2
5, 6
<1/2
6, 8
>300
300400
12
400800
10
14
>500
10
12
5001000
11
14
>1
3, 4
16
4, 5
<6
5, 6
Torch Brazing
3, 4
Torch Soldering
Table 2-1. Suggested viewing plate shades. To select the best shade for the application, start with
the highest shade number and, if it is difficult to see the operation, reduce the shade number until
the operation is sufficiently visible. Do not go below the lowest given shade number. Lighter shades
may be used where the arc is hidden by the work.
Tip: Choose a welding helmet with an adjustment knob to control the size of its headband, not the
notch-in-hole designs that have fixed diameter increments. These rarely fit properly and are either
too tight or too loose.
Welding Gloves
Welding gloves are the first line of defense against electric shock, flames, hot parts, sharp or flying
metal and arc rays. Different types of gloves are required for different processes and hazards. The
thin and flexible deerskin or goatskin gloves which are suitable for low-current GTAW precision
welding, would offer insufficient protection for air-carbon cutting where insulated, tough and durable
cowhide gloves are essential.
Protective Clothing
Long sleeve cotton or wool shirts are suitable for many processes. The weave of the fabric must be
dense enough to stop arc radiation from reaching the skin. Be sure to button the top shirt button to
protect the upper chest and neck area from arc rays. Synthetic fabrics tend to melt when burned and
must be avoided. For overhead work, leather shirts, commonly called leathers, are essential for
protection against falling sparks and molten metal. Cloth caps are helpful to protect the head from
being burned by direct, indirect or reflected light. Wearing a headband under your welding helmet
helps prevent sweat from getting into your eyes. See Figure 2-1.
Figure 2-1. Welders protective clothing. The leathers are on the right.
Arc Radiation
There are three types of arc radiation: infrared, or heat, visible light, and ultraviolet light. All of these
rays are capable of both temporary and permanent eye and skin damage.
Ultraviolet, in addition to creating an immediate painful sunburn, is carcinogenic and, over time, a
real life-threatening danger. Although arc brightness or luminance increases slowly with increasing
arc current, ultraviolet radiation increases as the square of the arc current, meaning twice the current
produces four times the radiation. Since UV is invisible, large increases are not detectible visually
and may cause major injury before these high levels are detected. Welding processes that use
argon shielding gas are usually intense UV sources.
In addition to direct exposure to arc rays, reflected radiation can cause injury to other workers and to
the public. Personnel in the welding area must be protected from the welding arc and sparks by
protective screens.