Page 14 - OHS, April 2020

WELDING
The most common type of electric shock is secondary voltage shock from an arc welding circuit, which ranges from 20 to 100 volts. A shock of 50 volts or less can be enough to injure or kill an operator depending on the conditions.
Selecting PPE for Total Coverage
As laid out above, welders face safety hazards that can impact the health of their entire body. To ensure that they can work safety and efficiently, without harm, welders must wear proper PPE from head to toe.
Eye and Face Protection. Protection for the head is the corner- stone of any welder’s PPE. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report- ed that those working in the welding field are at an especially high risk of on-the-job eye injuries. Welders must look to protect their head, eyes and face from hazards that are present while working.
Keeping workers protected from radiant heat and exposure is critical to reduce injuries. Welder’s Flash, a common condition by exposure to intense ultraviolet radiation, can result in temporary blindness as well as extreme discomfort to the eyes. Most severe welding-related eye injuries result in permanent blindness.
Welding helmets are often the first line of defense. Helmets can be manufactured with filter lens that can shade the eyes at a level that corresponds to that of the arc radiation generated by the appli- cation, as laid out in OSHA standard 1910.252. There are two main types of welding helmets: those with passive lenses and those with auto-darkening filter (ADF) lenses.
■ Passive Lenses. Helmets with passive lenses feature a fixed shade glass or poly carbonate lens that the welder can see through to conduct his work. Usually, because the shade is very dark, the welder must raise the shade to prepare for work and then move the helmet back into place before the welding begins.
■ ADF Lenses. ADF lenses in helmets automatically darken in response to a change in light intensity. When the welding arc is struck, the lens instantly shifts to filter out the harmful light, and when not activated, the lens is light enough to see through easily. This allows the welder to have the helmet in place throughout the entirety of the work, greatly increasing the protection the helmet offers.
In addition to light protection, welders must also protect their eyes and head from flying debris, weld splatter and slag, and sparks and flame. Welding helmets can offer protection from these things as well as long as they are not outdated. Newer welding helmets are created out of lighter materials and designed to fit more comfort- ably on the head to reduce fatigue and soreness.
Hearing Protection. Since prolonged exposure to extreme noise can lead to hearing loss, welders must comply with OSHA’s noise standard, 29 CFR 1910. 95, which requires the use of hearing protection when the employee’s noise exposure exceeds an eight- hour, time-weighted average sound level of 90 dBA.
For welders, ear plugs are often a go-to hearing protection de- vice since they do not interfere with other PPE. Recent advances have made earplugs significantly more comfortable, and newer models provide higher levels of hearing protection and exert less pressure on the ear canal than older models. Like most forms of PPE, the more comfortable the equipment is, the more likely the workers is to wear them—and for more extended periods of time.
For those who are not welding, but are near the work, they can
wear low-profile ear muffs. These are a versatile solution that can still be worn comfortably under the welding helmet, protecting the ears from noise but also from sparks or splatter entering the ear canal.
Protective Clothing. According to ANSI Z49.1-2012, Welding and Cutting (4.3), “Appropriate protective clothing for any welding or cutting operation will vary with the size, nature and location of the work to be performed. Clothing shall provide sufficient cov- erage and be made of suitable materials to minimize skin burns caused by sparks, spatter or radiation. Covering all parts of the body is recommended to protect against ultraviolet and infrared ray flash burn.”
Welders should wear oil-free, flame-resistant, non-melting protective apparel such as shirts, pants and caps. Approved styles include in-sleeves, aprons, coats, jackets, and coveralls. They can so wear leather leggings when necessary. Welders should stray away from wearing clothing that has cuffs or open pockets, as these can trap molten metal or sparks. Traditional materials (leather, cottons and wool) and more modern materials should offer comfort and protection for welders.
ANSI also recommends that welders wear protective, flame-re- sistant gloves with incorporated insulated linings to protect against high radiant energy. There is a variety of styles and materials de- pending on the frequency and mobility of the welding task.
Foot Protection. Welders must be protected all the way down to the toes. Because hazards like fire, heat, sparks, slippery surfaces and falling objects exist for the welders, they must be sure to wear protective footwear.
Welders should be donning footwear featuring flame-retardant leather, abrasion- and heat-resistant stitching, protective metatarsal shields and heavy-duty rubber outsoles that are heat-resistant to the highest temperature. Recent designs feature footwear that slips on, eliminating the potential for the risk of burn-through laces. For work environments that might include floors that are wet or greasy, foot protection styles should include anti-slip soles to help workers avoid falls.
Since welders spend the majority of their time standing, comfort plays a huge part in the PPE that covers their feet. Welders should look for footwear that features ergonomic design, improved cush- ioning technologies, wider toe boxes and lightweight foot beds.
Welding is a huge business, and protecting against every pos- sible hazard is a delicate balancing act. Safety directors must access the work environment for hazards, engage welders in a conversa- tion on safety and efficiency and select proper PPE that mitigate the top risks while allowing welders to be comfortable—all while remaining in compliance with industry standards.
Sydny Shepard is the Editor of Occupational Health & Safety magazine.
Amanda Smiley is a Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety magazine.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.osha.gov/archive/oshinfo/priorities/welding.html
2. https://liggettlawgroup.com/blog/welding-injuries-are-all-too-common/
14 Occupational Health & Safety | APRIL 2020
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