Welding produces harmful fumes that can be fatal, making a welding respirator necessary. Different types of respirators are available, and it’s important to choose the right one for the job to ensure safe breathing.
A welding respirator is worn by a person who welds. Welding produces noxious and potentially fatal fumes that are extremely hazardous to a person’s breathing. The filters in the welding respirator prevent the welder from inhaling the harmful gases, thus protecting the welder from poisoning and toxic contamination. The welding respirator is especially important when welding within an enclosed area and is often a welder’s only lifeline and means of protection against toxic fumes.
The basic principle of welding is heating steel and a filler rod to its melting point and using a filler rod to join the molten steel with the molten filler to form a single joint. In stick welding, the flux coating is burned off the rod and creates a protective gas that protects the solder until it solidifies. In wire welding, a gas is introduced into the heat and contact point of the weld which similarly shields the cooling weld. Shielding gases can be harmful if inhaled without the protection of a welding respirator.
Some metals, such as aluminum, are inherently dangerous to weld due to the gases that are released when they are melted. This is a concern due to the quantities of aluminum products manufactured by welding. In large aluminum tanks, the welder is actually inside the container making the internal welds. This process is made possible by the use of a welding respirator designed specifically for use when welding aluminum.
There are several types of welding respirators to choose from depending on the type of welding that will be performed. Air purifying respirators use a motorized air pump that sends air through a filter before presenting the clean air to the welder. A supplied air welding respirator uses bottled air which is sent in a protective hood and is used for breathing in place of the contaminated air. This welding respirator works much like a scuba tank. The final design is a disposable mask that filters harmful gases when worn over the nose and mouth, much like a surgeon’s mask.
It is imperative that the proper welding respirator is matched correctly to the welding project. Not wearing the proper respirator is as dangerous as not wearing a respirator. When directions are followed, welding is a safe method of joining metals both at home and in the workplace. When tackling a welding project, it is important to research the type of respirator needed for safe breathing.
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