Welding operations require specific personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect workers from hazards such as radiation, flying particles, hot slag, sparks, intense light, fumes, and oxides. [1] [1]

The following PPE is essential for welding operations:

• Eye and Face Protection: Welding helmets or hand shields with filter lenses are crucial for protecting against intense light and radiation. The filter shade number should be selected based on the welding process, wire diameter, and operating current. Safety glasses with side shields or goggles should be worn when chipping or grinding a work piece, if you are not wearing a welding helmet.
• Respiratory Protection: Respirators are necessary to protect against fumes and oxides, especially when ventilation is insufficient.
• Skin Protection: Fire/flame resistant clothing and aprons are needed to protect exposed skin from heat, fires, burns, and radiation. Wear tightly woven work-weight fabrics, long sleeves, pant legs, and a fabric cap to cover the head and neck.
• Hearing Protection: Ear muffs or ear plugs are important to protect against noise. Fire-resistant ear muffs should be used where sparks or splatter may enter the ear.
• Hand and Foot Protection: Boots and gloves protect against electric shock, heat, burns, and fires. Gauntlet-type cuff leather gloves or protective sleeves of similar material, to protect wrists and forearms.

[2] [4] [4] [1] [4] Additional considerations for PPE include:

• Fit: PPE must properly fit each employee to ensure its effectiveness.
• Material: Clothing should be made from heavyweight, tightly woven, 100% wool or cotton. Synthetic fabrics should be avoided.
• Maintenance: PPE should be regularly inspected, cleaned, and maintained. Damaged lenses should be discarded and replaced.
• Contact Lenses: Contact lenses should not be worn by welders due to the risk of irritation from foreign bodies.

[8] [3] [6] [5] Employers are responsible for providing appropriate PPE, ensuring its proper use, and training workers on its maintenance and limitations. [7] [7]