Welding Helmet: How Can You Protect Yourself From Welding Fumes?

We simply don't know everything there is to know about protecting workers from welding fumes. However, there are some common precautions and welding protection products that can be taken to protect workers from injury and illness.  

The danger and amount of exposure to the welders depend on the type of work being done, the rod, filler metals, base metals, coatings, contaminants, as well as the amount of ventilation and respiration protection. The fumes and gases produced from their work can lead to serious illness.

What are welding fumes?

Welding fumes are basically a mixture of metallic oxides, fluorides, and silicates. Not so wonderful to be breathing into your lungs by themselves, but since we have to live and work in the real world, there are other considerations such as the paint, rust inhibitors, solvents, and other coatings on the welded metal which can create additional dangers.

How to stay away from welding fumes?

Ventilation

With proper precaution, the amount of gas and vapor can be eliminated, or at least reduced to a high degree. Ventilation is always an essential control option. Whether you are ventilating the entire area or can drill down to a very specific confined space, replacing dirty air with clean is often the first go-to procedure. Many shops require ventilation that meets UL specifications such as the RamFan UB20 with ducting.

Industry mask

Another option is respiratory protection. Fumes produced by basic welding of iron or steel can often be blocked by wearing a simple N95 mask such as the 3M 8212 N95 Welding Particulate Respirator or as a step up, an N99 mask such as the Moldex Premium Disposable Welding Respirator. Both of these have exhalation valves to keep the mask cool. However, these types of disposable masks are only good for simple welding. The 8233 n100 mask is for those who want the highest rated by NIOSH filter efficiency in a mask. It is approved for lead abatement, metal fumes produced from welding, certain radioactive particulate material, and non-oil-containing mists.

Respiratory protection

Once you start arc welding, the ozone created by the electrical arc produces fumes that require a more robust system of respiratory protection. Since the face shields worn to protect from infrared restrict the type of respirator and cartridge or filter that can be used, many welders prefer double cylinder masks. It is a filter-type gas mask, which is mainly used in the working environment with low concentrations of harmful gas and dust. It is suitable for workers exposed to organic steam, benzene, and homologs, gasoline, acetone, carbon disulfide, ether, etc. in agricultural and scientific research institutions. The anti-poison time shall not be less than 45 minutes.

Welding Helmet

Even more sophisticated breathing systems exist. The T-Safety auto-darkening hood is equipped with an auto-darkening lens that provides a 1/20,000 second switching speed. Featuring a lightweight comfortable design with an adjustable ratcheting headband for better fit and comfort. This welding helmet gives you the full view of your welding area with a variable shade control from #9 to #13 with a resting shade of #4.

In the end, every site contains its own hazards, as well as the best solutions for keeping welders and other workers in the area safe. If you have questions about the best protection from welding fumes and gases, feel free to give us a call or visit us online at t-safety.com.