1. How long do welding helmets last?
The durability of Best Welding Helmets depends upon the power source. When non-replaceable batteries are used the average lifespan is about 7 years after which the lens does not work.
In cases of replaceable batteries, they may need to be replaced after about a year or two. So it is advised to keep a spare battery at hand.
It is advised to check the warranty of the product so you can always claim it, if it goes bad before that duration.
2. What harmful effects does welding have on your health?
Welding, especially without personal protective equipment (PPE) can hurt you in various ways.
First of all, the fumes released from the welded area may be inhaled causing lung damage, bronchitis, and decreased pulmonary function as well as shortness of breath. When there is insufficient airflow, lung damage may be aggravated.
The UV and IR rays produced during welding are known risk factors for skin cancer of both Squamous and Basal Cell Carcinoma. Professional welders with years of exposure are at a much higher risk. You can also get 1st, 2nd or 3rd-degree burns due to the exposure to the welded arc.
The effect of Welding on eyes is well known. If no equipment is used and the arc flicker comes in contact with your cornea, the outer transparent surface of your eyes, you may get Photo Keratitis or Arc Eye in the cornea. This is an immensely painful condition that makes a helmet a necessity not just a luxury.
Welding may damage the lens of your eye giving cataracts. Keep in mind that even for small durations of time, the exposure to UV and IR can give Arc Eye or ‘Welder’s eye’
Moreover, continuous exposure to welding arcs can cause retinal damage. Retinal burns have been associated with MIG type of welding. These harmful effects accumulate over time and may limit your vision in the long run.
The noise hazards that welding can create may cause a ringing sensation in the ears called tinnitus or a feeling of dizziness called vertigo.
Another worrying aspect is the health of those working around the welder. Often, they do not wear any equipment and over years of cumulative damage, they can also get similar diseases as experienced by the welders themselves.
It is abundantly clear that many of these diseases are avoidable with sufficient care towards protection.
3. Can Welding Fumes cause Lung Cancer?
Welding fumes themselves have not shown the strongest direct association with lung cancer however other studies have shown an increased risk of bladder cancer as well as a 30% increased risk of kidney cancer as compared to non-welders.
Other studies have concluded that the increased risk of lung cancer in welders may not be due to the fumes but asbestos exposure as well as smoking usually seen in this demographic.
All in all, there is an indirect risk of lung cancer among welders which should be kept in mind and regular testing should be done especially in the workplace.
4. Do Welding Helmets ever expire?
Yes, mostly they do. Auto-darkening helmets are especially known to be comparatively fragile. Of course, the chances of a welding helmet going bad increase manifold if stored inadequately, or if they fall down and break. Most modern ones have LCDs and touch screens so they may not last you a lifetime.
One condition that tends to affect the function of best welding helmets is extreme temperature. If you have not used your helmet for a long time and it has been stored in a cold environment, it is always better to put it in the sun for some time. That is because many users have experienced a deterioration of function when using them without doing so, especially delay in adjustment to light and dark
5. Do I need to wear safety goggles If I am already wearing a welding helmet?
Yes, you do. In this high-pressure job, you need any protection you can get.
A best welding helmet alone may save you from arc flash when you are working but even before the welding has begun, there may be harmful particles in the air due to hammering, or other processes occurring nearby.
Safety goggles become particularly important when gas welding since particles may easily cross your best welding helmet.
In the case of irritant fumes, some of the particles may cross the helmet and cause chemical injury and irritation which can be prevented by goggles.
Any flying object like chipped slag may also cross any defect in the helmet causing impact injury to the eye.
6. How do I know if my Welding Helmet is working right?
One obvious test to check the lens functionality is looking at the sun directly. This may be a good test to check the capability of the best welding helmet to do its job. You can also find out how quickly it becomes active and starts shielding you from the sunlight.
A qualitative assessment can be done by rather experienced workers if they are experiencing more eye fatigue than usual which would mean the helmet is not working well.
It is also necessary to test the knobs by adjusting the sensitivity and delay time and checking whether the helmet works well each time or not.
Also, check for industry guidelines and what quality certification the helmet has passed.
7. What can help eyes after welding?
After long duration shifts, many welders feel mild symptoms of arc eye like the blurring of vision, intensely red eyes, mild pain, or something irritating in the eye.
There is no replacement of a doctor’s opinion who can check for damage on an eye exam and prescribe you something if needed
Some measures can be taken to alleviate any possible damage.
Avoiding the use of contact lenses during the period of irritation
Refrain from using sunglasses if the irritation stays.
Some people have used tea bags by first chilling them and then using them on the eye for about 10-15 minutes. It tends to have a refreshing effect.
A similar cooling effect can be obtained from ice packs.
Refrigerated Cucumber slices may be applied twice a day for their soothing effect. If there is a worsening of the symptoms like pain and blurred vision, it is best to consult the nearest eye doctor (ophthalmologist).
8. What are the general safety measures to adopt when welding?
As described before, welding is a highly risky business that requires proper safety measures to make it safer. Some of these are
Before even starting the welding process, make sure that your workplace is well ventilated and insulated. These two parameters themselves are of paramount importance and should never be ignored.
Make sure your clothes cover your body. You should prefer full sleeved shirts and avoid T-shirts when welding. Overall, you should choose fire-resistant items of clothing
Wear closed shoes with non-flammable material.
Make it a habit to check all your personal protective equipment before starting the welding process.
Your PPE should include:
- Earplugs to lessen the noise pollution
- Respirators are also advised for lung protection to clear the air before it enters your lungs especially for those with existing respiratory issues
- Insulated gloves to protect you from electric burns and sparks
- Welding helmets to protect your eyes and facial skin as well as your neck region.
Try to remove any flammable object around the welding arc as it may catch fire.
Try to keep your helmet on during the welding process because repeated removal
may negate the point of wearing it in the first place due to fumes ingestion and lung injury.
One rather specific instruction comes for arrhythmic patients using pacemakers. The magnetic field created by the welding process may attract your pacemaker which may be a source of a nuisance so it is often advised to stay away from welding with a pacemaker on.
Turn off all the machinery when not in use.
What size of lens do I need for my Welding Helmet?
Usually, best welding helmet lenses vary from 5 to 13 adjustability but if you had to buy one size of the lens, that could be a 10.
How should I store my Welding Helmet?
Try to store it away from hot and humid conditions. If you can find its original packaging to store it, then nothing like it. Keep it away from extremes of temperature.
What quality certification should I look for in my Welding Helmet?
There are various quality certification tests in the market but one test highly recommended to be passed by a Welding Helmet is the ANSI Z49.1 quality certification. ANSI stands for American National Standards Institute.
Best Welding Helmets are a type of safety equipment so quality regulations are important to follow and so if ANSA has certified your helmet you’re good to go.
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