Welding Gloves 101
Why Hand Protection Is Important While Welding?
Do you know that 70% of hand injuries were caused by workers just not wearing the safety gloves?
Quite alarming, isn’t it?
That’s why the very first thing a welder should think about is their protective equipment. Welding helmets are often the focus of attention but it is easy to forget about hands and arms.
Safety is a major concern for day
Keep reading, and you’ll find out why welding gloves are a must-have item for welders.
Welding Gloves: Safety when using a Welding Machine
First of all, let me explain what welding glove is? Welding gloves are actually personal protective equipment that will protect your hands from
the hazards of welding.
Why a pair of Welding Glove is a must-have item for a welder?
Keep in mind, stick and MIG welding produces high-temperature sparks which can be up to 600°F (315°C). The glove protects your hands and arms from those sparks.
That heat resistance also protects if you should pick up or rest on a piece of hot metal. Many thicker gloves have an additional lining to help with this property. Hot, welded, metal also puts out heat in the form of infrared radiation which also can burn unprotected skin.
Welding generates strong intensity UV light. Your visor protects your face and eyes. Your gloves protect your skin from getting burnt by that light.
Welding gloves are also an electrical insulator so that you don’t get shocked by your welding equipment.
Gloves can also protect you from hand injuries, particularly cuts, fractures, punctures and sprains.
What are the types of welding gloves?
MIG Welding Gloves: These gloves provide maximum protection and are a good general purpose glove. Materials are usually of cow, pig, or deer hides.
TIG Welding Gloves: Typically made of cow, goat, or pig hides. Meanwhile, they are specifica
Stick Welding Gloves: These gloves are the most robust type and are composed of elk or cow hides.
Design of Welding Gloves
Selection of the best welding gloves depends on the type of work you are doing and all gloves are a trade-off. Also, treat gloves as disposable items in that once they are damaged then replace them or get them repaired.
Although mittens are available those really don’t give you sufficient dexterity to control the welding equipment.
Welding gloves are made from various types of leather. These include cowhide, elk skin, deerskin, pigskin, and goatskin. These different leathers have different heat protection, strength and flexibility. Hence, each type of glove has different characteristics. Low-cost gloves will be stitched with cotton but higher end products use kevlar thread.
The designs will use different leathers to provide comfort for prolonged use, extra protection for hot jobs, flexibility for fine control such as TIG welding, large cuffs and sleeves to protect from welding sparks.
About the author
I’m Brandon creator of fixitmanblog.com where we all learn together the crazy hacks of cutting, brazing, and welding. As an enthusiastic, I’m redefining what it means to be a welder. With a Diploma at Welding, I have spent 10+ years in Welding. Now love to share my experience with you.
Metal sculpture in brass, mounted on an 1800s French Coin
Very nice information on why hand protection is important while welding and different types of welding gloves available, but heat resistant gloves are one of many protective clothing protect against heat and fire, but also offer the utmost resistance against tear and abrasion for a long period of time for those reinforced with Kevlar fabric.
Different leather fabrics are chosen to make welding gloves due to their non-conductive, durable, and heat-dissipating features. Those are essential functions that a welder needs in their gloves to protect their hand and skin against welding hazards.