welder - Waylander Welding

Yes, staying clean while welding is impossible. Welders like you have the job in mind and keeping your clothes clean isn’t something you really think about. Your focus stays on welding and staying safe. But, if you don’t want to have to deal with having to wash away too much stains from your work clothes, here are some welding clothing tips.

Welding Clothing Tips: Minimize Stains on Welding Clothes

Oil is your number one enemy when it comes to stains. That and of course dirt and dust. Whether you’re working in a workshop or a factory, there’s grease and dust all around and it could be hard to really avoid it. What can you do to minimize the stains on your work clothes?

Do not touch welding clothes as much

It does sound basic but if you make yourself aware and practice it for some time, it becomes a habit. Next thing you know, you find less amount of stains on your work clothes because of this habit. So, the next time you work, be more aware of the many times you touch your welding pants or welding shirt.

Keep a rag/handkerchief in your pocket all the time

Make sure that you have a rag or handkerchief in your pocket all the time. Never leave your home without it. Or better yet, have a several in your workshop or workplace so you won’t have a problem having one whenever you work. That way, before you touch any of your work clothes or any item at all, you make it a habit to wipe your hands with that rag.

Starch your welding clothes

The starching process of welding clothing has been around for a long time and it’s done by both professional and amateur welders. This is done to prolong the usability of welding clothes by preventing dirt and dust from accumulating on the clothing. It also makes a piece of garment oil resistant. This then prevents too much stains on the work clothes making it easier to wash them.

Just remember you can only start 100% denim or cotton welding clothing.

two welders working — Photo via unsplash.com

Get Coveralls, Have Work Clothes that are meant for just working

If you really want to minimize the stains you get on your welding clothing while at work, get coveralls and use that over your welding clothing. They last long and you won’t have to worry as much. Also, apart from your leather welding clothing or welding jackets, only use work clothes that are meant for just working. Meaning if you use them and they get stained, you wouldn’t mind as much.

As a welder, dealing with stains, dust, and dirt is something you need to live with. It is impossible to be super clean at the end of the day. But if there are ways for you to minimize the stains you need to deal with, then why not? So, the next time you weld, keep these things in mind and save yourself the headache of having to deal with too much stubborn stains on your welding clothing.

Pipeline welding and being in the oil and gas industry can be a very challenging but rewarding job. The truth is, whatever environment you work in as long as you weld, you expose yourself to different hazards. But being in the pipeline industry just comes with its own unique challenges. Because of that, it pays to know what kind of hazards you face on the job and what kind of pipeline welding clothing you need.

Pipeline Welding Hazards and Pipeline Welding Clothing

Electric Shock

Arc welding is done almost every day at pipelines. This exposes you to electric shock from the arc between the electrode and the base material that fuse the materials together.

As a pipeline welder, you should know better than skimp on high-quality welding PPE. Your job puts you more at risk and that means you need to invest in the right welding gear to protect you from electricity. That includes extremely spark and heat-resistant or flame-resistant welding clothing made of premium leather materials. Make sure you add high-quality welding gloves and dry gloves to that investment and make sure you wear them all the time!

Extreme Weather

Harsh weather conditions are one of the biggest enemies you encounter as a pipeline welder because much of the work is done outdoors. You can either work in a hot or humid environment or in a place where the temperature can get really low. Some work on ocean platforms while others work on rigs where they encounter strong winds.

To protect yourself from extreme weather conditions, go for warm, heat-resistant welder gear and get extreme climate FR insulated coveralls.

If you work in cold temperatures, get welding PPE for winter. But if you’re a pipeline welder working in a hot or humid environment, get welding PPE welders use in the summer.

Eye Protection

Pipeline welders like you work on or near oil rigs. Whenever pipeline repairs are done, you are exposed to flying debris, harmful sparks, and metal projectiles in dusty conditions. Other than that, you are exposed to UV rays from the welding arc and the sun.

You need the proper eye and head protection like safety glasses or goggles, a welding cap, welding hoods, helmets, and shields that auto-darkening and anti-fog features.

Welding Splatter and molten Metal

This is always a concern as long as you are a welder. The proper pipeline welding clothing you need to protect you from welding splatter or molten metal would be a proper FR welding jacket, a welding face mask, a high-quality welding apron, welding spats or show protectors, and the right welding gloves.

Sharp Objects

Working as a pipeline welder, you are exposed to extremely sharp objects and surfaces when you move parts and adjust welded objects. One wrong move and you get injured.

A way for you to protect yourself is to get cut-protection gloves. Make sure you buy the right welding gloves preferably one made with leather and Kevlar. That way, you get the flexibility and protection you need.

Risky Work Positions

Whether you are suspended in the air or you work on an ocean platform, you know you have some risky work positions and these cannot be avoided. Make sure you get crush protection gear. These are the back-of-hand protection you need as a pipe welder. All you need are a pair of impact gloves. According to the International Safety Equipment Association, there is a standard for hand protection that addresses the abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture performance of gloves.

How to care for Pipeline Welding Clothing

As a pipeline welder, you should know how to care for welding clothing. You need to learn how to clean a welder’s work clothes like how to get rid of welding dust/coal dirt, how to clean heavily soiled or heavily stained welding clothing, and how to get grease stains out of welding PPE that has been dried. You also need to learn more about how to wash FR clothing. That way you ensure that your welding clothing lasts longer.