Top Safety Tips You Should Know About Sheet Metal Welding
Sheet metals are widely used in the modern industry sectors such as construction and manufacturing industries. It is used for several purposes including roofing and manufacturing of automobile external parts. Sheet metals are joined together through welding to construct and form the materials. During a welding process, you can fuse two pieces of sheet metal together using pressure and heat to form one piece of metal. After welding, the formed joints become stronger and versatile. There are different types of welding such as gas welding and metal inert gas (MIG) welding. No matter the type of welding used, the welders can be exposed to several hazards and risks. Therefore, it is important to carry out the welding safety rules to avoid any accident that can lead to severe injuries. Here are some top safety tips you should know about sheet metal welding;
Protective Gear
Welding involves the use of compressed gasses to produce heat, which is a high-temperature flame to weld the metals together. The compressed gasses comprise of oxygen gas and some other type of gas such as acetylene. Therefore, it is essential for any welder to wear protective gears that will protect them from any physical hazards. You have to wear hand gloves, safety welding glasses, hard hats, safety shoes and protective clothing. The hard hat will protect the head from falling objects. The flash of the light exuded during welding and the glints of metal pieces can cause physical damage to the welder if care is not taken. Such damages may cause serious eye disease or skin damage and this can affect their ability to work.
Environmental Awareness
Welders should be aware that work environment hazards can occur at any time. If care is not taken, certain injuries may be incurred during the welding process due to the changing environment. An electric shock is one of the most common welding risks that welders face every now and then. Therefore, it is important for some safety features to be installed in the working environment. You should always be aware of your environment and be mindful of the welding circuit and welding voltage to avoid electric shock. You should also make sure that your gloves are not wet and ensure that there is no water or other liquid substance that can trigger an electric shock around you.
Welding arc creates hot flames and this may cause fire explosions if the safety guidelines are not duly followed. Therefore, it is important to inspect your environment for any flammable materials and remove them before welding the sheet metal. You should also make sure that fire extinguishers, alarms, and sand buckets are located within your work area to quench any fire in case of any explosion.