Anyone who does MIG welding has to follow basic MIG welding safety practices. This will help to ensure that both the welder and those around them are not injured or even killed while work is being done. While every welder knows that welding creates sparks made of molten metal, intense heat, and light bright enough to damage eyesight, many welders forget the basic safety rules and end up injured. Part of MIG welding safety is to remain completely aware of the area around you and to take every precaution to protect yourself, people who are nearby, and the property that is in the worksite. Another thing to remember is that if you work too near another welder, a dangerous situation can occur.
Eye protection is extremely important when welding. The light that welding produces is very bright and potentially harmful. If you look at the welding arc when you are not wearing the proper eye protection you can suffer burns to your eyes, flash burns, and while it can be treated, permanent eye damage can happen after repeated occurrences. In order to protect workers permanent booths or portable partitions should be used and the light needs to be kept contained. Anyone welding or observing must wear protective eyewear.
The proper attire is also needed. Welding sparks are extremely hot and will burn through most fabrics or even ignite them. The electric arc can burn exposed skin because it produces infrared and ultraviolet rays. The proper clothing is sleeves, leather capes, and gloves. Your clothing should always be kept free of grease, oil, and any other flammable material to avoid having your clothes catch on fire while you are working. Your shoes should be high top leather boots or shoes. Never wear athletic or any shoes made of fabric because of the risk of burns.
Be aware of any water in the area you are working in because you are working with electricity. Water is able to conduct electricity from the point you're welding to any other place it touches, even you. The equipment should be kept dry and never placed near or in water. If at all possible keep the welding area dry. If there is no way to avoid water, then stand on a dry rubber mat or a dry wooden board. Your clothing needs to be dry and if you sweat, change clothes as often as you can.
The welding equipment needs to be well maintained so that it's safe and efficient. Electricity will always follow the path of least resistance and poor connections or cables that are frayed can created secondary circuits, leading the electricity to places you don't want it to go. Always make sure that the electrical connections are secure and tight. Cables that are damaged or frayed should be immediately replaced.
Be aware of any flammable materials in the area you're welding in. The sparks can cause fires. Oxygen should never be used for blowing off clothing or equipment because of the possibilities of explosions. Pressurized containers or those that have held flammable materials need to be treated with extra caution. Always follow procedure for making sure it is safe to weld.
Proper ventilation is essential. Smoke as well as fumes can be given off from the materials you are working on and can cause different reactions that range from irritation to death. Shielding gases can actually build up and suffocate a welder. You may need to wear air masks or even breathing equipment.
The contents of cylinders are under high pressure, and present a danger of explosion. Protect them from heat of any kind and never weld on them. Protector caps must always be on to avoid damaging the valves because a damaged valve can release the pressure and turn the cylinder into a rocket. Fasten cylinders to a wall, cart, or rack and move them in upright positions.
