WELDING DEVICES / FIELD NOTESBEFORE THE FIRST ARC
Welding masks and helmets: what to check before buying
Passive or auto-darkening? Compare shade range, arc detection, fit and replacement lenses.
SAFETY / BEFORE THE FIRST ARCA better weld starts
A better weld starts
with a safer workspace.
Know the material, control the exposure and protect the people around the work. Use the controls required for the actual job.
01
Control the fume
Plan effective source extraction and any assessed respiratory protection.
02
Protect people
Use suitable protection and shielding for the operator and nearby people.
03
Plan the environment
Assess fire risks, electrical condition, coatings and restricted spaces.
04
Recognise specialist hazards
Lasers, pressure-containing parts and confined spaces need additional assessment.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
Understand your protection.
WELDING DEVICES / FIELD NOTESBEFORE THE FIRST ARC
Welding gloves: match heat protection and control to the job
Understand the difference between fine torch control and protection from heavier heat and spatter.
WELDING DEVICES / FIELD NOTESBEFORE THE FIRST ARC
Beyond the helmet: clothing, boots, eyes and hearing
Build a complete protection kit for welding, preparation and clean-up.
WELDING DEVICES / FIELD NOTESBEFORE THE FIRST ARC
Welding respirators and extraction: two different jobs
Why a welding helmet is not a respirator, and why moving air is not the same as capturing fume.
WELDING DEVICES / FIELD NOTESFOCUSED ENERGY
Laser welding: the promise and the practical limits
Concentrated heat, fit-up requirements and a very different safety environment.
WELDING DEVICES / FIELD NOTESBEFORE THE FIRST ARC
Before the first arc: build a safer welding workspace
Fume control, protection, fire prevention and people around you belong in the setup.