Top 10 Welding Safety Tips Every Welder Should Follow

Welding’s fun until it isn’t. Hot metal, electricity, pressurized gas, noise, fumes—there’s a reason welders are picky about welding safety. Here’s the no-fluff checklist.

1) Dress for sparks: FR clothing or stay home

Start with a flame-resistant welding shirt (yes, I’m biased—and right). No polyester. FR pants, leather boots, and cotton/FR base layers keep you from burning up.

 

2) Protect your eyes right (shade matters)

Your hood isn’t decoration. Use the correct lens shade for your process. Add safety glasses under the hood and grinding shields.

 

3) Don’t breathe the bad stuff

Welding fumes and grinding dust are not vitamins. Use local exhaust/hoods, fans that move air away from your face, and a respirator rated for your task and materials (stainless, galvanized, etc.).

 

4) Keep a fire from getting a head start

Clear the area of paper, rags, solvents, sawdust. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and know which one it is. If you’re throwing sparks near combustibles, assign a fire watch for 30 minutes after.

 

5) Cables, leads, and grounding aren’t optional

Inspect stingers, grounds, and leads. No cracked insulation, no loose lugs. Use proper ground clamps close to the work. Coil leads clean so you’re not tripping or cooking them.

 

6) Respect gas cylinders like they’re rockets (because they are)

Secure cylinders upright, caps on when not in use, keep away from heat, and open valves slowly. Check hoses and regulators for leaks. No oil on oxygen fittings—ever.

7) Keep your work zone tidy

Clutter = injuries. Sweep slippery flux, keep cords off walk paths, store grinders and discs where they belong. A clean bench is a safer bench.

 

8) Ears and hands: still want them later?

Wear hearing protection around grinders/air tools and proper gloves for the process (TIG gloves aren’t stick gloves). Keep fingers clear of pinch points on clamps. Basically don't put your fingers anywhere you wouldn't put your D*CK!

 

9) Handle heat like a pro

Use pliers or tongs for hot coupons and parts. Mark hot pieces. Don’t dunk hot metal into mystery buckets—thermal shock and steam burns are real.

 

10) Training beats guessing

New to the process? Ask. Read the machine chart, check WPS if you’re on code work, and practice on scrap. No ego—just good habits.

 

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Quick Welding Safety Checklist (print this)

• FR shirt, FR pants, leather boots, proper gloves

• Safety glasses + hood with correct shade

• Respirator/ventilation in place for the material

• Fire extinguisher nearby; combustibles cleared

• Leads/cables inspected; ground placement correct

• Cylinders secured; regulators/hoses leak-free

• Hearing protection for grinding and air tools

• Tools organized; trip hazards removed

• Mark hot parts; use tongs/pliers

• Follow procedures; when unsure—ask

FAQs

Do I really need FR if I mostly TIG?
Yep. TIG is cleaner, but you’ll still grind, tack, and move around hot parts. FR is for anyone whos at risk of catching on fire at work.

Can I wear a hoodie under my FR shirt?
If it’s FR/cotton and fits clean. Avoid synthetics and dangling strings.

Call to action: If your closet looks like a thrift store accident, fix it. Shop WoahBros FR welding shirts—built to work, not to look pretty on a hanger.

 

 

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