7 Reasons Why You Should Buy A Welding Helmet
Today, there are sophisticated welding helmets that automatically darken every time you are welding.
02/03/2020
A welder’s helmet is an essential gear that every person who enters in a fabrication workshop should have. Today, there are sophisticated helmets that automatically darken every time you are welding. Others offer you great comfort and protection from the many workplace hazards.
Helmets nowadays are not just boring safety necessities. You can add a wow factor in them. You can have it customized with the design of your choice. You can browse these cool designs that will give you more reasons to wear a helmet. In the meantime, I will talk about the seven reasons why you need a helmet. Some people think it is okay to weld without wearing proper gear.
1. General workshop safety
Every workshop comes with its fair share of hazards. A typical welder’s workshop will have sharp objects and other items that you can trip and fall over them. For the general safety of the welder, wearing all protective gear from quality aprons to the correct workshop shoes is paramount. Besides, you need gloves and helmets. If you are welding high above you, you will need shoulder pads, too. It protects you from heat, burns, and trauma from falling objects.
2. To prevent arc eye
It is also called a welders flash. A welding machine produces high amounts of ultra-violet and infrared light. Exposing your naked eyes to this light can cause inflammation of the cornea. It starts with watery eyes, itchy eyes, blurry vision, light sensitivity, pain, and other symptoms. An arc eye is very painful. It requires prompt medical attention to prevent further escalation. It can also lead to irreversible loss of vision. A damaged cornea exposes your internal eye components to damage.
3. To shield yourself from retina burns
Damages to the cornea expose the retina to direct UV light, which can damage it, causing more eye problems. Whenever you wear a helmet, you protect your eye from direct contact with UV light, thereby preventing eye damage. Continued use of a naked eye will eventually damage your retina, making it impossible for your eye to process light. It can lead to blindness.
4. To prevent exposure to welding fumes
Welding can cause dangerous fumes and toxins. If you inhale these toxins, you will be at risk of several pulmonary complications, including cancer, kidney damage, and stomach ulcers. A welder’s helmet has a filter that prevents those fumes from reaching your nose.
They reduce the risk of breathing intoxicated air. Breathing these fumes can also cause irritations and nausea. When looking for a helmet, look at the specifications to see if it has this ability. Further, a helmet should fit snuggly to protect you from toxic fumes.
5. To reduce noise exposure
Welding is a noisy endeavor. Exposure to these niggling noises is not healthy. The machine produces much sound that can cause hearing problems. A good helmet should have noise protection capabilities. Most helmets in the market have this feature. However, it is always good to check before purchasing if the feature is there. If it is not there, I would advise you to try another one. It is counterproductive to protect one part of your body while exposing the other to danger.
6. To discourage eye rubbing
Whenever you are exposed to multiple light levels and sources, the urge to rub your eyes is inevitable. In a welding environment, it is not safe to rub your eyes as metal dust and particles can get into your eyes, causing further irritation. A helmet is a right way of preventing this behavior. It makes it hard for you to rub your eyes at every slight urge to do so. It also conditions you to stop doing that. At least you can rub your eyes afterward safely and not during a welding job.
7. To reduce exposure to welding splashes and sparks
Sparks and splashes are common in metal fabrication. The sparks and splashes can get into your eyes, burn your skin, or even cause a panic in a workshop. Preventing yourself from all these hazards is a safety requirement. Every helmet should comply with specific codes about what is safe or not.
Welding is relatively safe if done correctly. Proper care involves wearing all protective gear and using standardized machinery to do the work. Protecting your head is imperative. All you need is a quality helmet to solve all those problems that are associated with fabrication light, noises, and fire hazards. You can protect your eyes and skin from burns, protect yourself from heat, and keep the resultant sounds at bay.