Welding is not like brazing and soldering; rather, it is the joining of two pieces of metal together with extremely hot temperatures and sometimes with the addition of other metals or gases. This means you need to protect yourself from any hazard that can be caused by the heat emitted from the process.
You must always use your gloves in welding to avoid getting burned. Asides from protection, gloves provide a better grip and resistance to abrasion during welding.
From this point, this article will explain every other thing you need to know about welding gloves and how best they serve you. Stay glued to this page and enjoy.
Advantages of Welding with Gloves
Welding generates a lot of heat. It is a risky activity that necessitates using protective gloves, which help prevent all the possible hazards that accompany the process. Explained below are a couple of benefits enjoyed from welding with gloves.
Gloves Protect Welders from Burns
Our hands are used in our everyday activities so they must be safe and ready at all times. When welding, welders are in charge of the arc. Sparks, molten metal splatter, and hot metal fly everywhere during this process. They will cause serious burns if they touch your skin.
Gloves keep your hands safe as you work on welding projects. It is occasionally preferable to use gloves with cuffs to shield the forearms from splatter. Welding gloves that are extra lengthy protect your complete hand, including the wrist and palms.
They are Shockproof
Wearing insulating rubber gloves made of leather is part of an effective protective system. Gloves are shockproof as they do not support electricity. They are intended to protect the welder’s hands from:
- Electrical shock
- Extreme heat
- Infrared radiation
- Physical cuts.
When worn appropriately, leather gloves can shield you from electric shock. However, it’s important to note that the gloves shouldn’t block current from flowing through other body parts and they shouldn’t be used on an electrical ground.
Gloves Prevent Scratches and Cuts
When working with metal, there is a high chance of getting cut or scratched. Even if the cuts do not appear to be deep, the region may become infected, causing more harm to the hands. This is why it is important to protect your hands.
The most important thing to remember is that the appropriate welding gloves can greatly impact how you work. It has an impact on the pace, competence, and safety of your welding. In addition, leather gloves are quite useful for preventing scratches and cuts.
Drawbacks of Welding with Gloves
Although gloves protect the hands from harmful environmental elements, they have drawbacks when worn frequently. The most significant issues to consider are
Attracts Debris
Welding gloves are very much liable to large amounts of debris such as metal, so you would have to do an initial clean before washing them thoroughly in order to maintain a safe work environment.
Too Tight Glove Causes Inflammation
This can occur through glove permeation, spills onto skin and absorption through gloves. Also, if it is worn incorrectly and too tightly, it might limit blood flow, causing muscle pain or, in the worst-case scenario, amputation.
Doesn’t Stand Up to Washing
Hot water, washing machine and dryer can’t be used to clean leather gloves as the heat and movement can make them warp and stretch.
What Do You Consider When Purchasing a Welding Glove?
Welding gloves of high quality must be durable and functional. Before buying, consider the material, insulation, and comfort that you will enjoy. The gloves should:
- Be UV-protective
- Fit well, and
- Be comfortable.
While some welding gloves are generally sized or one-size-fits-all, they are rarely the greatest choice when it comes to welding. Many welding gloves are available in sizes ranging from extra-small to extra-large, providing you with the best control of your tool.
Some glove companies make models that are:
- Water-resistant
- Dust-resistant
- Brightly colored for increased visibility
These gloves are designed specifically for work settings that are unpleasant or unusual. Underwater welders use regular diving equipment as well as linesman gloves, which are primarily used to prevent electric shock. But there are three major things that you must consider, and they are:
The Kind of Welding That You Do
The very first thing to put into consideration is the kind of welding you do. This would determine the materials your welding gloves should be constructed of.
The top leather derived from animal hides such as cows, swine, goats, and deer are often used in making welding gloves. The material you select has a big impact on the application.
Insulation Type
You may now go on to the type of insulation you need after determining the type of welding gloves and the appropriate material for them. Whatever type of welding you do, one thing is certain: the spark and the heat from the torch will generate a lot of heat. The sort of insulation is therefore required to ensure that your welding gloves provide optimal protection.
Long-term contact with temperatures can cause the gloves to dry out, especially when you grip the weld gun. To acquire the best protection, you must first learn about the different types of insulation. Good insulator materials are, Kevlar and cotton liners.
Movement of The Hand
The type of welding task you undertake has a big impact on your agility. MIG and stick welding demand a high amount of heat protection, whereas TIG welding necessitates gloves with a high level of dexterity.
Wearing a welding glove and then trying to select something like a coin is an easy way to see how comfortable it is. Consider purchasing welding gloves with extra leather on the thumb, index finger, and metacarpus area of the hand to eliminate this difficulty.
Conclusion
According to Safety Workwear, workers are more likely than anyone else to sustain injuries to their:
- Hands
- Wrists
- Arms
- Shoulders
Cuts or punctures are the most prevalent hand injury, accounting for 40% of all workplace hand injuries.
The lack of hand protection is the leading cause of hand injury, but the most important takeaway from these figures is that most of these injuries could have been averted if workers had worn suitable hand protection.
Welding torches are extremely hot and can cause serious burns if you’re not properly protected. In that situation, welding gloves are your best protection. When welding, you must protect your hands, arms, and body from the welding arc’s strong heat and blinding light, which are causative factors of burns and eye damage.
