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Weld burns are extremely painful, and it is important to learn how to avoid and treat them. Welding is a very useful skill to know. Arc welding allows you to fuse all sorts of different metals together. Many people make good money as professional welders, and others learn how to weld as a hobby. Whatever your reason for welding, it is key to avoid getting burnt. There are a few steps you can take to protect yourself and those around you when you are welding.
Always wear safety gear. Make sure that you have special welding gloves, a helmet, a leather apron, welding chaps to wear on top of your jeans, solid leather shoes, and the appropriate visor. These items are all necessary to prevent weld burns and serious injury. You are not the only person who should have this gear on. Anyone else around you should also be wearing the proper protective gear to avoid weld burns. Depending on the type of welding, you will need a certain lens for your visor. Mig welding requires a #10 lens while Arc welding generally calls for a #12 filter. Tig welding is usually done with a #11 filter lens. Make sure you have the right visor for the job. The ultra violet light generated from welding is extremely bright, and it can cause sever damage to your eyes. Retinal flash burns are common for those who do not wear the right kind of visor.
You should never have anything flammable around the welding area. Weld burns are often the result of a person wearing synthetic fibers. These are highly flammable. The smallest welding spark can ignite whatever happens to be close at hand. Apart from wearing the right clothing and protective gear, there are some other things you must do to stay safe. Do not let the hot electrode come in contact with bare skin. It is extremely hot and can scorch human skin in an instant. Also make sure to remove all hot metal pieces from the work station after you are done welding a particular piece.
Flash weld burns to the eyes are serious. You should go to the doctor for treatment if you experience this problem. As for burns of the skin, it depends on the severity. If it looks bad, then you should not hesitate to get medical attention immediately. However, your burns may not be too severe. Look for a first aid kit that can be kept close to the welding area. That way you can treat any minor burns right away.
Written exclusively for BakersGas.com | 
