Three Essential Safety Tips for On Site Structural Welding

Structural welding is essential during the construction, repair and maintenance of steel elements in commercial buildings. Welding is a beneficial technique which ensures that two separate metal elements are firmly fused together for exceptional structural resilience. Under ideal circumstances, the process should be performed by a qualified welder with appropriate training and long-term experience. However, as a hobbyist or learner, you might be able to perform some small-scale welding work in your premises with the right equipment. If you are interested in DIY structural welding, you should consider the below tips to ensure safety during the project.

Acquire a Welding Mask

The most obvious safety guideline for welding work is wearing a mask. Unfortunately, there are numerous individuals who fail to ensure that their eyes are protected when handling hazardous welding tasks. Eye injuries are quite common among people working in structural welding work. The damage is often caused by metal debris and other flying particles. Also, the eye tissues can be harmed by the radiation, fumes and chemicals produced during the welding processes. Therefore, you should acquire a mask or at least goggles which will shield your eyes from these elements. You should ensure that the chosen eye protection adheres to the national standards for optimal results.

Choose the Right Clothes

Welding can pose significant danger to your person even if the face is protected. In general, the face and the eyes are the most vulnerable parts, but your choice of clothing can make your entire body susceptible to injuries. For instance, you should not expose your skin to the harmful welding environment by wearing shorts or short-sleeved shirts. As a beginner, you should opt for clothes that protect your body even if you feel overdressed. You should also look for flame-resistant clothing. For example, denim and similar lightly woven materials are not flammable. You can look for the right welding wear from specialist dealers for ideal protection.

Promote Ventilation

Finally, when you decide to perform structural welding in your commercial building, you should ensure that the immediate environment is well-ventilated. Welding is a process which exposes metal to extreme temperatures. The heat causes the release of the base metal particles and other compounds in form of fumes. These fumes will not cause immediate damage when inhaled, but they can cause the deterioration of your respiratory structures. Also, you should note that shielding gases such as carbon dioxide and helium can cause suffocation. Therefore, you should ensure that your surroundings are well-ventilated. Also, you should consider wearing an approved respirator.