I want to go into a diatribe about welding safety. I did some research about it online and it was a bit lacking. So I think I can at least get people informed and possibly a little safer.
WARING: this is not the end all on welding safety. Please do your own research
I think there are two major categories to be discussed Fumes and Electricity.
Fumes: Probably the most over looked are the fumes from welding. These fumes are toxic no matter what type of welding you are doing. If these fumes and particles accumulate in your body they will cause illness and possibly even death. So what can you do?
1. Understand the materials you are working with, what fumes they release
2. Find the proper protection from these hazards
3. Always have plenty of ventilation
3M makes lots of great products that can abate and minimize exposure to many toxic substances. You should still have proper ventilation in your work area.
Electricity: Electric shock, EM, Burns, and UV, are all hazards and result from using electric current to weld.
EM is electromagnetism. The effects of intense electromagnetic fields is not well understood. People with pace maker should watch out.
UV like a ordinary burn a Ultraviolet Light burn can be protected with the correct equipment. Where protective clothing all over your skin. Get a good Auto Darkening Helmet. The light from a arc welder can burn your retinas and damage your eyes.
Electric Shock is pretty well understood. If you get the high current from welding going through your body you could die. Welding machines suck lots of current and direct it through your work piece. You must be sure to where insulating clothing, welding gloves and good boots for a start. Also avoid working around things that conduct electricity, like waster or touching a grounding pole wile arc welding. The curent will try to find the quickest way into the ground.
Burns are probably the easiest protect from. Simply where protective clothing. Cover your skin (all of it) with organic materials that are suitable to with stand a smoldering piece of metal. Leather is the best.
