Welding & safety.
Welding is safe when you respect it. Before you strike an arc with your ProLite welder, run through the gear, the hazards and the habits that keep every job injury-free.
Read this first
This guide is general advice, not a substitute for proper training or your machine’s manual. If you’re unsure, get hands-on instruction from a qualified welder before working unsupervised.
The right PPE, every time.
Auto-darkening helmet
Shields eyes and face from intense UV/IR light and spatter. Use the correct shade for your amperage — never look at the arc unprotected.
Leather gloves & apron
Flame-resistant leather protects hands and torso from heat, sparks and molten metal. Keep them dry and in good condition.
Respirator / ventilation
Welding fumes are harmful. Work in well-ventilated areas and use a fume extractor or respirator rated for welding.
Flame-resistant clothing
Cover all skin with non-synthetic, flame-resistant clothing. No rolled sleeves, no exposed ankles — sparks travel.
Safety boots
Steel-toe, leather boots protect feet from falling hot metal. Trousers should sit over the boots, not tucked in.
Ear protection
Grinding, chipping and arc-air gouging are loud. Plugs or muffs protect hearing on longer jobs.
The four big hazards.
Arc radiation — “arc eye”
The arc emits intense UV that burns eyes and skin within seconds. Always lower your helmet before striking, and screen off the area so others nearby aren’t flashed.
Fumes & gases
Welding releases metal fumes and gases that are dangerous to breathe. Ventilate, position your head out of the plume, and never weld coated or galvanised metal without extraction.
Fire & explosion
Sparks travel metres and smoulder for minutes. Clear flammables, keep an extinguisher within reach, and never weld on or near sealed or fuel-containing vessels.
Electric shock
Keep yourself, the work and the machine dry. Inspect leads for damage, ensure a solid earth/work clamp, and never change electrodes with bare, wet hands.
Pre-weld safety checklist.
- Work area clear of flammables and clutter
- Fire extinguisher within arm’s reach
- Good ventilation or fume extraction running
- All PPE on — helmet, gloves, FR clothing, boots
- Leads and electrode holder inspected, no damage
- Work clamp making solid, clean contact
- Hands and floor dry; no standing water
- Bystanders screened from the arc
- Correct electrode and amperage for the job
- Machine settings checked against the manual
Ready to lay a bead?
Now that you’re set up safely, learn to set up the machine and strike a clean arc.
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