PPE for Welders

By Grant Law Office on February 8, 2022

Welders face a number of occupational hazards on a daily basis. They are routinely exposed to flames, hot or sparking arcs, flying debris, and slag vapor. Welding accidents account for approximately 25% of fatal workplace accidents and include approximately one-third of all nonfatal amputations, as stated by Water Welders. Approximately 1,000 welders suffer injury for every 100 million work hours. This is much higher than the average injury rate for other workers. Welding safety hazards include:

• Fire and explosions
• Exposure to gasses and fumes
• Physical hazards, including cuts, crushing, and burns

What Types of PPE Do Welders Need, and Why?

Welders encounter many risks in the performance of their job duties. They need personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect different parts and systems of the body, including:

• Eyes and face: Welders may need face shields, safety glasses or goggles, welding helmets, or welding beanies throughout the day to protect the eyes from sparks, flying objects, hot metal, and UV rays. Eye and face protective equipment must meet industry standards.
• Hands: Heat, sharp objects, and sparks can damage a welder’s hands without the proper PPE. Welders need different types of gloves for different work situations, including welding gloves, cut resistant gloves, leather gloves, and hand shields.
• Feet: It is important that welders have the right footwear to protect their feet from hot slag, flying sparks, and falling objects. They need high top, closed toed, leather shoes and welding spats or other heat resistant covers for the legs and feet.
• Skin: Clothing made of polyester, acrylic, or acetate should not be worn by welders, as these materials are flammable and can melt onto the skin. Welders should wear flame retardant clothing made of a dense weave of cotton or wool. Appropriate garments for welding include long pants that do not sag and long sleeved, high collar shirts.
• Respiration: Welders may be exposed to gasses, dust, and toxic fumes. Respiratory protection must be provided. The type of protection will depend on the exposure and the level of protection needed for safe breathing. Employers that require welders to wear respirators must have respiratory protection plans in compliance with OSHA standards.
• Hearing: Noise hazards are a part of welding. Workers often need hearing protection to reduce exposure to these hazards. Earplugs and earmuffs can provide protection against hearing loss.

In addition to the above, welders should be enclosed in individual booths whenever possible. The booths should be made of noncombustible, UV protective screens or curtains and should allow for circulation of air at floor level.

Why Do You Need a Lawyer If You Are a Welder Who Has Been Injured on the Job?

If you have been seriously injured in a workplace welding accident, you will need compensation for your medical expenses, time away from work, and other losses. You are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for an on-the-job injury. If the negligence of a third party caused your accident and injuries, you may also be entitled to file a claim for compensation from the at-fault party. Our Atlanta welder injury attorneys can investigate your welding accident to determine cause and pursue all available forms of compensation to get you the maximum recovery.

Why Choose Us?

At Grant Law Office, we have more than three decades of experience representing injured people. We strongly believe in aggressively protecting our clients’ rights to recover significant compensation for financial, personal, and emotional damages from injuries caused by the negligence of another.

Call us at (404) 995-3955 to schedule a free consultation with no time limit after a serious work-related welding accident. We can explain your options for pursuing compensation under the law.