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Welding takes a certain amount of training and instruction to do properly and — most importantly — safely. That's why people train for at least nine months, if not longer, considering most programs are two years in length. Those who are trained learn that MIG welding differs from TIG welding in regard to safety precautions.
MIG Welding Definition
Metal inert gas (MIG) is a form of welding that utilizes an electric arc to form between a wire electrode and the metal. It causes the metal to melt and conjoin together. In addition to the wire electrode, a shield gas is used in order to protect the metal from contaminants in the air.
The Arc
Beware of the arc. It truly is dangerous. The light from the welding arc is so bright that it can burn your skin and your eyes just like the sun, only worse since you're closer to it than you are to the sun. That is, only if you don't protect yourself properly. Always wear a welding mask, and preferably one that auto-darkens to protect against arc flash. By purchasing a good welding helmet, you make work easier for yourself. You'll have both hands to use since manual helmets require you to pull the mask down with your free hand. If not, the mask requires you to move your head to drop it into position, which can get tedious. Always wear a flame-resistant long-sleeved shirt and pants. You may want to consider using a welding jacket to protect you from burns. They're not as constricting as they once were because they're now made out of lightweight fabric. Loose clothing or jewelry has the potential to catch sparks or pieces of hot molten material, so watch what you wear.
Protect Your Lungs
The fumes produced from the welding process are hazardous to your health and shouldn't be inhaled if at all possible. Make sure you weld in an area that's well ventilated. You should wear a mask or a respirator if you need to weld for long periods of time such as during the course of a long shift at work.
Welder’s First Aid Kit – 16 Unit – 114 piece w/ 1/2 oz. Industrial Eye Drops & 1 Oz. Eye Wash – Plastic Case w/ Gasket – 1 Each Industrial strength workers deserve industrial strength care. Our 114-piece, 16-unit welder’s first aid kit focuses on a wide range of injuries common to welders such as minor cuts, sprains, welder’s arc and other common eye irritations. Products are contained in a sturdy plastic case with gasket. Kit Includes: * (1) A100: 3/4″x3″ Adhesive plastic bandages, 25/bx * (1) A102: 5 Knuckle, 5 large fingertip fabric bandages * (10) 2″x3″ Non-stick pads * (1) B204: 2″ Conforming gauze roll bandages, 2/bx * (1) B518: 36″ Triangular sling/bandage, w/2 safety pins, 1/bx * (2) Z6109: Ibuprofen tablets, (5) 2-pks * (1) B304: BZK antiseptic towelettes, 18/bx * (1) A403: Triple antibiotic ointment packs, 10/bx * (1) AN404: Burn relief packs, 6/bx * (1) 1/2″x10 yd. First aid tape roll * (1) B503: 4″x5″ Instant cold compress, 1/bx * (1) A200: Sterile eye pads, 2/bx * (2) Eye wash, 1/2 oz. * (1) M702: Industrial eye drops, 1/2 oz. * (2) 6″x3/4″ Finger splints * (1) FAE-6004: 4-1/2″ Scissors, nickel plated * (1) FAE-6019: 4″ Tweezers, plastic * (1) FAE-6017: First Aid Guide Kit Dimensions: 9-1/16″x6-5/16″x2-3/8″
Protect Your Hands When you TIG weld, you'll probably prefer wearing a thin pair of gloves, so you have more control. When you MIG weld, it doesn't matter if you opt for a pair of thin gloves or not. With MIG welding, it's all about what your personal preference is. However, you should wear gloves and leathers to make sure you're not going to feel the molten metal that comes off what you're working on. Leathers shield your skin from the heat and from the UV light that's produced from welding. If you don't wear leathers, wear clothing made from cotton. Polyester and rayon tend to melt when anything hot is dropped on them. Unlike these synthetics, the cotton won't melt, even though a hole will form in it. Just like the UV rays from the sun, the UV light from welding will cause burns to your skin. Not to mention, it has the potential to cause cancer, according to the American Cancer Association. Unless you're only welding for a moment or two, make sure you protect yourself because a burn from the UV light can happen quickly.
Protect Your Feet welding-safety-tileYour feet matter just as much as your hands when it comes to welding. You can easily drop hot material from the welding process on your feet and receive a serious burn. Don't ever weld while wearing open-toed shoes. Avoid shoes that have mesh on top of them or that are made of synthetic material. The mesh or synthetic material tends to melt and adhere to your skin, causing you serious injury. The best choice for footwear when welding is a leather shoe or boot. If you don't have anything like this, opt for something to cover your shoes that's not flammable.
Galvanized Steel Galvanized steel is a type of steel that undergoes a chemical process where it's coated with layers of zinc oxide that protect it from rusting easily. Additionally, the coating makes it more durable and appealing to the eye since it's not as easy to scratch the finish on it. When galvanized steel burns, it gives off a poisonous gas that's also cancerous. When you're exposed to it, you can suffer from heavy melt poisoning, also known as welding shivers. You'll experience flu-like symptoms for a few days, but the effects of it can lead to permanent damage.
Fire Pieces of hot, molten material may fly several feet, and the sparks produced from grinding are even worse. Make sure you remove any paper, plastic or sawdust near your work area because it will smolder and potentially catch fire. Remove any flammable items from your area, and this includes any liquids.
MIG Welding Definition
Metal inert gas (MIG) is a form of welding that utilizes an electric arc to form between a wire electrode and the metal. It causes the metal to melt and conjoin together. In addition to the wire electrode, a shield gas is used in order to protect the metal from contaminants in the air.
The Arc
Beware of the arc. It truly is dangerous. The light from the welding arc is so bright that it can burn your skin and your eyes just like the sun, only worse since you're closer to it than you are to the sun. That is, only if you don't protect yourself properly. Always wear a welding mask, and preferably one that auto-darkens to protect against arc flash. By purchasing a good welding helmet, you make work easier for yourself. You'll have both hands to use since manual helmets require you to pull the mask down with your free hand. If not, the mask requires you to move your head to drop it into position, which can get tedious. Always wear a flame-resistant long-sleeved shirt and pants. You may want to consider using a welding jacket to protect you from burns. They're not as constricting as they once were because they're now made out of lightweight fabric. Loose clothing or jewelry has the potential to catch sparks or pieces of hot molten material, so watch what you wear.
Protect Your Lungs
The fumes produced from the welding process are hazardous to your health and shouldn't be inhaled if at all possible. Make sure you weld in an area that's well ventilated. You should wear a mask or a respirator if you need to weld for long periods of time such as during the course of a long shift at work.
Welder’s First Aid Kit – 16 Unit – 114 piece w/ 1/2 oz. Industrial Eye Drops & 1 Oz. Eye Wash – Plastic Case w/ Gasket – 1 Each Industrial strength workers deserve industrial strength care. Our 114-piece, 16-unit welder’s first aid kit focuses on a wide range of injuries common to welders such as minor cuts, sprains, welder’s arc and other common eye irritations. Products are contained in a sturdy plastic case with gasket. Kit Includes: * (1) A100: 3/4″x3″ Adhesive plastic bandages, 25/bx * (1) A102: 5 Knuckle, 5 large fingertip fabric bandages * (10) 2″x3″ Non-stick pads * (1) B204: 2″ Conforming gauze roll bandages, 2/bx * (1) B518: 36″ Triangular sling/bandage, w/2 safety pins, 1/bx * (2) Z6109: Ibuprofen tablets, (5) 2-pks * (1) B304: BZK antiseptic towelettes, 18/bx * (1) A403: Triple antibiotic ointment packs, 10/bx * (1) AN404: Burn relief packs, 6/bx * (1) 1/2″x10 yd. First aid tape roll * (1) B503: 4″x5″ Instant cold compress, 1/bx * (1) A200: Sterile eye pads, 2/bx * (2) Eye wash, 1/2 oz. * (1) M702: Industrial eye drops, 1/2 oz. * (2) 6″x3/4″ Finger splints * (1) FAE-6004: 4-1/2″ Scissors, nickel plated * (1) FAE-6019: 4″ Tweezers, plastic * (1) FAE-6017: First Aid Guide Kit Dimensions: 9-1/16″x6-5/16″x2-3/8″
Protect Your Hands When you TIG weld, you'll probably prefer wearing a thin pair of gloves, so you have more control. When you MIG weld, it doesn't matter if you opt for a pair of thin gloves or not. With MIG welding, it's all about what your personal preference is. However, you should wear gloves and leathers to make sure you're not going to feel the molten metal that comes off what you're working on. Leathers shield your skin from the heat and from the UV light that's produced from welding. If you don't wear leathers, wear clothing made from cotton. Polyester and rayon tend to melt when anything hot is dropped on them. Unlike these synthetics, the cotton won't melt, even though a hole will form in it. Just like the UV rays from the sun, the UV light from welding will cause burns to your skin. Not to mention, it has the potential to cause cancer, according to the American Cancer Association. Unless you're only welding for a moment or two, make sure you protect yourself because a burn from the UV light can happen quickly.
Protect Your Feet welding-safety-tileYour feet matter just as much as your hands when it comes to welding. You can easily drop hot material from the welding process on your feet and receive a serious burn. Don't ever weld while wearing open-toed shoes. Avoid shoes that have mesh on top of them or that are made of synthetic material. The mesh or synthetic material tends to melt and adhere to your skin, causing you serious injury. The best choice for footwear when welding is a leather shoe or boot. If you don't have anything like this, opt for something to cover your shoes that's not flammable.
Galvanized Steel Galvanized steel is a type of steel that undergoes a chemical process where it's coated with layers of zinc oxide that protect it from rusting easily. Additionally, the coating makes it more durable and appealing to the eye since it's not as easy to scratch the finish on it. When galvanized steel burns, it gives off a poisonous gas that's also cancerous. When you're exposed to it, you can suffer from heavy melt poisoning, also known as welding shivers. You'll experience flu-like symptoms for a few days, but the effects of it can lead to permanent damage.
Fire Pieces of hot, molten material may fly several feet, and the sparks produced from grinding are even worse. Make sure you remove any paper, plastic or sawdust near your work area because it will smolder and potentially catch fire. Remove any flammable items from your area, and this includes any liquids.
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References
http://www.safety.com/articles/mig-welding-safety- ... -tips
http://www.farmweld.co.uk/images/mig-welding-proce ... s.gif
http://www.farmweld.co.uk/images/mig-welding-proce ... s.gif
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