Protective clothing for a welder’s body should resist fire, and be durable enough to withstand high heat, sparks, and molten spatter. It should also protect the welder’s skin from ultraviolet and infrared burns. The type of PPE used varies from process to process.

When choosing clothing, check the labeling to ensure each article is made of natural fibers such as wool, leather, cotton, or bamboo. Synthetic fibers such as rayon and polyester are made with plastics that put the wearer at higher risk of injury due to their tendency to melt rather than burn. Resulting in more serious burns to the skin.

Pants and sleeves should never be rolled up or cuffed. Flammable objects such as lighters should be removed from pockets and pant legs left covering the top of the boot or leather spats should be worn to cover the top of the boots. These good clothing practices can ensure molten spatter or sparks don’t get caught in and on clothing creating a greater risk for burns.

Leathers

Welding leathers offer the best protection for the skin against flash and spatter burns. They come in different styles and fitments. Designed to be worn as a jacket over additional natural fiber clothing, they can also be cape sleeves with a snap or tie-on bib covering the front of the body to the upper thigh or waist or a full apron.

Coveralls

Coveralls are a one-piece pants and suit uniform that can be worn over your clothes.

But not all coveralls are created equal. There are plenty of coveralls designed for a variety of activities such as general shop work, flagging and traffic control, and riding a motorcycle.

We have already learned that welding PPE needs to be made from natural fibers such as cotton, leather, or wool. Coveralls designed to protect from rain and moisture may not be appropriate for a welding job as they are more likely to be made from synthetic material that helps the wearer stay dry. For a welding site, choose coveralls that can be zipped or buttoned up rather than velcroed. Ensure that they fit your body properly and aren’t excessively baggy so they don’t risk getting caught in machinery.

Welding cap

A welding cap is a head covering typically made of cotton worn under a welding helmet. It may have one or two soft bill flaps that can be positioned to cover a welder’s neck or ears against sparks and flying hot debris. They come in different sizes typically measured in inches around your head like a cowboy hat. A welding cap or some other natural fiber head covering such as a bandana is recommended for welders using methods that create a lot of sparks. These head coverings will protect the welder’s head and hair from the molten metal spatter. If they have a soft bill, like a welder’s cap, they also provide cover for the ear that the bill is positioned over.

Attributions

1. Figure 3.12: Ready to work by Nicholas Malara, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0
2. Figure 3.13: A leather welding bib and sleeves by Stephanie Oostman, for WA Open ProfTech, © SBCTC, CC BY 4.0