Welding’s Most Common Injury
It really shouldn’t take us by surprise that welding is one of the most dangerous professions in America. I mean, we’re literally waltzing around with miniature electric flame throwers. We’ve survived by learning from our mistakes quicker than any other hobby or career on the planet. Yet somehow, the same injury tends to pop up over and over again. We present to you welding’s most common injury:
Burns
Let this be a warning to all you naked welders. If you’re not wearing protective equipment when you weld, you’re fighting the statistics because the most common injury in welding is getting burned. Of course, burns can happen in a number of different ways. Most of us know to avoid skin contact with your welding arc, but here’s a few ways to get burned you probably haven’t thought of.
Burns can be caused by fires started from welding sparks. All it takes is one greasy rag. Often the problem isn’t the initial fire, but what happens after. Some less experienced welders have actually place buckets of water near their workspace in case of fire, only to be electrocuted when the water comes in contact with their machine’s electricity. Other welders don’t have anything to take care of fires and end up helplessly beating open flames down with their hands. A better alternative to death by fire or electric shock is a fire extinguisher.
Eye burns are also incredibly common. 
Many of us don’t realize welding arcs actually produce UV radiation. Unlike visible sparks or heat, UV rays are much harder for us to detect until it’s too late. The key comes down to using a good welding helmet. Often welders using Oxy-fuel goggles get lazy and don’t switch back to their helmet when they start welding. Oxy-fuel goggles don’t have the needed UV ray protection, meaning a fist full of harmful radiation straight into your retinas. Only Helmets with properly tinted lens will keep your eyes from looking like the one below.
Finally, burns can actually happen in your ears. We’re serious, your ears. Lincoln Electric as well as many other trusted names in welding actually recommend using earmuffs or earplugs to keep metal sparks and airborne particles from going into your ear canal.
A huge part of welding safety depends simply on the gear you’re using. No matter how smart you handle the situation, if you’re using unreliable safety equipment, you’re going to get burned. That’s why we’ve put this list together of the most reliable safety equipment ever made:
Nothing can substitute the safety of a great welding helmet.
HELMETS:
Right now’s a perfect time to buy helmets, with sales up to 26% off the suggested products below.
JACKETS
LINCOLN HD LEATHER WELDING JACKET
2 Comments
Top Brands
I used a Harbor Freight helmet for 5 years. When it went down I just threw it out. I got a Miller, hated the restart thing after setting the helmet down for awhile. The Speed glass is ok but its pretty light and wobbles when it's up. So light that it didn't want to flip down and the front glass(plastic) will put you in the poor house. I bought it used, but I think it was a $250.00 helmet with no grind mode. Come on. Anyway, went back to a HF, paid $40 and still using it EVERY DAY FOR 2 1/2 YEARS. No, it doesn't have grind mode, but the new, more expensive one does. I need the controls on the outside of the helmet and I would put the grind mode button in another spot, so I could get to it with a glove on.
During the summer time, when wearing a T shirt, I use the flame resistant sleeves but only if it's a flat, quickie job. Otherwise, I'm either half leather with a apron attached, or the sleeves and a full length apron (a huge one). In-step protection, even in a small shop (a 6 inch piece of 2x2 .120 falls on the instep and your limping for days.
It was a good article, just thought I'd add my two cents. Remember, you asked...
I recommend the higher end helmets with as many sensors as possible and with the shortest response time. If you want or need cheap, then get a passive helmet. I will not use the Hobart any more.