Safety factors?

[deadman11699]

I'm just starting to get into a lot of welding and I want to make sure I that my eye sight stays fine. My moms side of the family is all doctors so I get a lot of **** for not wanting to go into the doctor career and instead into welding and fabrication. So I’ve heard a lot of stories about people going blind because of welding. What are the safety factors that I should look at? I have a shade 10 helmet that I wear unless I’m tacking. Which then I cover it with my glove and close my eyes.

[Clanweld]

Use that helmet religiously, forget the 'cover up and tack' routine, it's the beginning of overconfidence around the machine, and will end up hurting you. And wear a pair of clear or tinted (I prefer clear) safety glasses under the hood and keep them on. I've said before it takes one good blister on your eyelid to remind you cleaning slag can hurt you bad, I still remember thinking that was a 1/2" from my eyeball. Good luck!

[spuddown]

Use that helmet religiously, forget the 'cover up and tack' routine, it's the beginning of overconfidence around the machine, and will end up hurting you. And wear a pair of clear or tinted (I prefer clear) safety glasses under the hood and keep them on. I've said before it takes one good blister on your eyelid to remind you cleaning slag can hurt you bad, I still remember thinking that was a 1/2" from my eyeball. Good luck!

What he said, I prefer yellow tinted safety glasses though. I have some color blindness and it seems to help me see the puddle better. If you do a lot of tacking you might consider an auto dark hood. Thats where they really earn there price. Not mandatory but nice. I welded 30 years before I got one. I'll never go back.

[lotechman]

Safety glasses with side shields should be worn constantly. People keep rationalizing about them being uncomfortable or not fashionable.
Wear ear plugs and ventilate your work area. Attention to these items will extend your life and your general health.

[billie_]

there ate likely more old welders than old doctors..lol

[Dipper Welder64]

just as said above safety glasses and auto hood!

[JeffB]

I haven't been welding very long, but "cover up and tack" was the first bad habit I picked up and trying to break already. First reason being(especially with MIG), it's way too easy to accidentally flash yourself. Second reason is "sunburn". Even if you cover your eyes well, a few seconds worth of tacking can leave quite a sunburn on exposed skin.

[lorenzo]

You should also wear the darkest shade lens that you can while still being able to work.... If you chose to use a gold shield (I use theses) then check the lens regularly for any peeling areas and discard the lens if you find one. I also hold the lens up to my shop lights and inspect it for bad spots. When your done running a beed you shouldn't see that white spot in your vision.