Welding Garage Safety Guide: From Setup to PPE to Proper Welds

Garage Safety Guide for Welding

When starting the welding process these two things should be remembered, and shortcuts must not be taken in the quality of work and your own safety. It's easy to do a quick weld and go without any protection, but in the end a stray spark or a drop of molten metal is enough to ruin your day.

Before starting, it is always important to read and follow the safety labels on the product or the owner's manual.

Here are some important safety measures which you must take for a safe and sound welding experience.

Welding Area Setup

It’s very important that your welding area is properly set up before beginning welding.

Setting up your welding equipment on a flat surface is good practice and ensuring that they are away from any flammable materials which include: oil, paper, rags, cloth, and fuel. water also conducts electricity, so avoid working in wet or damp conditions.

Verification of equipment installation and grounding is important. Make sure that the work clamp has an accurate metal-on-metal connection. It is best when unimpeded by any paint or any foreign metal. 

Don't forget to tie a chain to the gas cylinders securely to an upright and stationary support.

Only gas hoses should be used which are designed for welding.

You should keep your area of work free from clutter. Always make sure that the necessary tools are very easy to find; they include: wire brush, chipping hammer, and grinding discs. A pair of pliers on hand is necessary to pick up hot metal. Try to not use your hands to handle hot materials even if you are wearing gloves.

The cables and hoses can cause a trip hazard, so make sure you don't have any of these under your feet. Make a routine of checking hoses in case of leaking and loose connections. Mixture of soap and water can be used to find leakage, it will make bubbles on the spot, making it easy to find.

Ventilation

Always make sure that your shop, home or garage is ventilated in order to protect you from the dust particles and fumes. It will be a good measure to let any door or window open depending upon the type and amount of welding you are doing. Adequate ventilation is recommended for protecting you from dangerous fumes or gasses from being inhaled.

PPE

Not wearing the right PPE may cause serious issues. Welding arcs may produce spatter and sparks which are hazardous for your skin and eyes. T-shirts, shorts and open collared shirts may leave you victim to burns. You should wear flame-resistant clothes which will cover your whole body to save it from catching sparks. For your footwear high-top leather boots or shoes are best for protection. For hands, always wear proper gloves while handling materials or welding.

If not protected properly, small particles can strike your eye. About 2000 workers in Australia face eye injury on a daily basis according reports.

Nowadays auto-darkening helmets are available that offer the best protection in case you weld with a variety of processes or parameters. Some of these helmets have the latest technology features such as, more arc sensors, improved lens technology, higher switching speeds, built-in grind shields or grind modes and much more.

Following these steps can make your welding shops safe and projects more enjoyable.

A checklist to be ready

Around the shop

• Clean and dry workplace. No flammable liquids or solvent should be around.
• Chain gas cylinder
• Hoses should be free of leaks

Tools on the shop

• Cut-off wheels
• Wire brush
• Chipping hammer
• Pliers
• Welding tools
• Needle nose / snips

Ventilation

• You should open door or window
• Exhaust fan can be a plus point

PPE

• Safety goggles
• Welding helmet: flip-shade or auto-darkening with ANSI certification

Flame-resistant clothes

• Gloves made of leather
• Leather shoes
• Respiratory mask

Safe welds

• Accurate wires or electrodes for material thickness

Proper machine settings

• Joint preparation: grind off the surface material
• Repairing cracks and holes
• Try to make multiple passes at the standard travel speed. Slower is not better.

Check out our best welders here>>