A look at essential welding protective equipment

Welding is a necessary skill required by many Australian manufacturers which is why it’s taught in many Australian secondary schools and colleges.

Yet this fundamental skill is also dangerous especially if the proper protective equipment is not available. Welding dangers include:

• Burns from fire, sparks, or flammable material.
• Eye injuries due to excessive heat or the arc eye.
• Infrared radiation exposure.
• Skin injuries other than burns.
• Toxic fume inhalation, mainly due to working in confined spaces with little ventilation.
• UV exposure and/or
• Electrocution.

If proper welding safety equipment is not available, injury is not the worst thing to occur. In fact, sixty people die each year from welding-related injuries.

Recently, a young Queensland school captain died from electrocution while welding. The young man was welding at a house during unseasonably wet weather when tragedy struck.

You can see why at Flexshield, we strongly believe that every welding bay should have the necessary safety equipment.

What safety equipment is required in welding bays?

Flexshield has extensive expertise in working with schools, colleges, and TAFEs. We understand all the requirements to build safe and practical welding bays and grinding bays. We have considerable experience engaging with manufacturing facilities to tailor-make welding and grinding bays.

Every welding bay needs at least:

• Anti-combustible panelling such as Sonic System modular panels.
• Sheet or strip screens like Kanga Certified Weldflex^TM strip curtains, and
• Welding Benches and tables.

We also strongly suggest purchasing a FlexWeld welding mat, which is non-conductive and protects against electrocution, and also offers a non-slip, anti-fatigue work surface. Flexshield’s FlexWeld mats comply with ASTM D-178 and have the following electrical ratings:

• Dielectric rating 30,000 volts.
• Proof Tested 20,000 volts.
• Recommended usage 17,000 volts.