While welding may seem easy, there is a lot involved in the process as it entails joining metals together through the efficient use of heat and pressure. Therefore, it is important to take precautions to ensure the safety of not only you, but others as well. Whether you are a professional welder or a novice, it is always recommended that you use equipment to protect your eyes and head while working. For example, there are various welding accessories such as goggles, mufflers, and helmets. While these welding precautions will keep you safe while working, welding helmets are by far the most important.
What is a Welding Helmet?
A welding helmet is a helmet designed to protect the head and eyes from sparks. They are worth the investment considering that most head and eye injuries are caused by sparks and ultraviolet light, usually during the welding process or when using a plasma cutter.
Risks Of Not Wearing a Welding Helmet
So what are the disadvantages of not wearing a welding helmet? Welding is a job where accuracy and vision are prerequisites. Without eye protection, the cornea can be damaged, leading to irreparable eye damage and loss of vision. Welding helmets also protect hair from burns during welding operations.
How to Choose the Right Welding Helmet
When choosing a welding helmet, as with anything else, there are several options. Also popular are auto-chromatic helmets, which do not require you to open the vision cover when the lighting changes or when looking at people or objects. Helmets are appreciated by many welders because they can reduce neck strain and improve work efficiency.
1.Regular Lens Helmets
Regular lens helmets are not as effective as auto-darkening helmets, but they provide valuable head and eye protection. These helmets are suitable for beginners or those who are unsure whether they will be welding for long periods of time.
2.Variable Shade Helmets
Variable shade helmets are helmets that allow welders to manually adjust the viewing space of the helmet. In most cases, the darkness can be switched within a range of 5 to 13 depending on the helmet. This helmet is ideal for welders who need to withstand frequently changing lighting and shading along the way. Fixed-shade helmets are the least expensive option for helmets. It offers some protection, but is usually not the first choice for most professional welders
3.Auto-Darkening Helmets
In addition to more viewing options, many auto-darkening helmets now allow welders to set a delay on the helmet that increases or decreases the time it takes for the helmet to brighten or darken. This is a huge benefit for those using plasma cutters and for those who need to quickly brighten or dim their helmets before and after a welding job.
Welding Safety & Comfort
Although the main focus of this article was on welding safety, it is also important to choose a welding helmet that is comfortable to wear. This is especially important if you will be working for several hours. Fortunately, many of today’s helmets are available in a variety of display sizes to accommodate even the most demanding welders.
It’s worth noting that a large viewing angle can help a welder do his or her job better because it provides a more peripheral view, which can be helpful for large-scale projects.
