Welders require protection from head to toe - Every job needs complete protective equipment

摘要

THERE ARE MORE THAN 500,000 welding jobs in U.S. shops and factories. From the standpoint of employee safety, they are considered to be near the top of the list when it comes to ranking the most dangerous jobs. That is one reason welding robots have become so popular for repetitive applications. There is more to welding safety then simply wearing a face shield or helmet, the most visible protective equipment to the casual observer. In fact, every job that involves using a torch for welding, brazing, soldering, or cutting requires a full range of personal protective equipment (PPE). Not only do welding torches produce intensely bright light, which can result in eye damage, they also generate smoke and fumes that can seriously damage lung tissue, producing asthma-like symptoms. And sizzling hot spatters of molten metal and incendiary sparks can result in burns on the face, arms, and other parts of the body that are unprotected. In addition, employers need to protect combustibles from sparks and hot metal within a designated 35 foot radius of welding and cutting operations.