Typical welding PPE includes a welding helmet, flame-resistant clothing, welding gloves, safety footwear and suitable eye protection. Depending on the risk assessment, respiratory protective equipment (RPE) may also be required. PPE protects against burns, sparks, arc radiation and inhalation of fume, and is used alongside — never instead of — engineering controls such as fume extraction.
What PPE is required for welding?
Typical welding PPE includes a welding helmet, flame-resistant clothing, welding gloves, safety footwear and suitable eye protection. Depending on the risk assessment, RPE may also be required. The exact combination should follow the workplace risk assessment, which identifies the hazards present and the level of protection each task needs.
Welding helmets and eye protection
What welding helmet should I use?
Choose a welding helmet that complies with the relevant safety standards and provides suitable protection for your welding process. Auto-darkening helmets are popular because they improve visibility and reduce operator fatigue. [VERIFY: which specific helmet safety standards SIF wishes to cite (e.g. relevant EN standards and shade ratings) — the source states “relevant safety standards” without naming them.]
A correctly rated welding helmet also protects the eyes from the arc. Welding arcs emit intense ultraviolet and infrared radiation that can damage the eyes, and proper eye protection prevents arc eye (photokeratitis) — a painful condition caused by UV exposure. For more on this hazard, see our welding hazards page.
What gloves should welders wear?
Welding gloves should provide protection against heat, sparks and mechanical hazards while allowing adequate dexterity. Different glove styles are available for MIG, TIG and MMA welding depending on the level of protection required. TIG work, for example, typically calls for thinner, more dexterous gloves than heavy MMA or MIG welding. Match the glove to your process — see our MIG, TIG and MMA welding hubs for process detail.
Clothing and footwear
Flame-resistant clothing and safety footwear protect against sparks, molten metal and hot workpieces, all of which can cause burns. Flame-resistant PPE and good working practices help minimise burn risks. Clothing should cover exposed skin, as arc radiation can also cause burns.
Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
Do welders need respiratory protection?
Respiratory protection may be required where exposure cannot be adequately controlled by engineering controls such as LEV. RPE should always be selected following a suitable risk assessment and should not replace effective source extraction. In other words, fix the air at source first with LEV; use RPE to cover residual exposure.
What is respiratory protective equipment (RPE)?
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) includes masks and powered air systems designed to protect welders from hazardous airborne contaminants. RPE should be correctly selected, fitted and maintained to provide effective protection.
What is powered air respiratory protection?
Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) use a battery-powered blower to deliver filtered air to the welder’s helmet or facepiece. PAPR systems improve comfort while reducing exposure to welding fume.
Choose the right welding PPE
The right helmet, gloves and respiratory protection depend on your process, materials and the findings of your risk assessment. PPE works best as part of a complete control strategy that starts with fume extraction and is underpinned by your duties under COSHH and HSE guidance. Contact the Weldability SIF team for help selecting helmets, gloves and RPE, or return to the welding safety hub.