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Welders work in harsh conditions with intense heat and brightness. Auto-dimming welding helmets can protect them from eye strains and other conditions caused by extreme brightness.
However, they have also long been plagued with the difficulty of getting good ventilation while working.
Many welders have trouble breathing properly and can be easily affected by the fumes and gases that come from the welding process. Thus, they attach cooling fans to their welding helmets. But what if you don’t have a welding helmet fan cooling kit? What should you do?
Here are great substitutes to a welding helmet fan kit that can keep you cool while working in hot, sweaty environments!
Using battery-powered cooling bands is a great way to avoid heat exhaustion. They help regulate your temperature by routing cold air inside your welding helmet and replacing the stagnant air. With them, you can stay comfortable and protected against heat while welding.
Aside from reducing the temperature, the cooling bands can also minimize lens fogging. Therefore, they are convenient to use because they will improve your work performance and not hinder your mobility.
Just like cooling bands, cooling belts are an effective source of ventilation. They are lightweight, wearable, and great at replacing the hot air circulating. The airflow from the cooling belt covers your core and face, so you don't have to worry about fatigue or other health conditions caused by heat exhaustion.
Furthermore, cooling belts have adjustable settings, similar to a welding helmet with a fan and Bluetooth kit. So you can control the airspeed and its direction to suit your preference while welding. Therefore, you can feel more comfortable and be more productive without endangering your safety!
Wearing regular welding gloves is most definitely not the best way to stay cool while welding, but it is necessary to keep your hands safe. That’s why it's great that you can now use airflow gloves while welding! What is better than welding gloves with high heat protection and airflow insulation simultaneously?
The consistent regulation of a cooling vest will keep the proper range of your body temperature. You can put cold inserts, such as ice packs and gels, in its multiple pockets. However, if you find them too bulky, you can use a cooling vest with a built-in personal air conditioner (PAC). It has a mechanism that circulates cool air through the vest’s compressed airline, providing you with relief from heat and sweat.
Proper attire is essential when working with metal fabrication. While welding jackets are a go-to for most welders in matters of protection, they can make you feel hotter after welding for long periods. This is where lightweight, sweat-absorbing clothing can get really handy.
Wearing lightweight clothing reduces the temperature your body has to endure and lessens the effort you need to exert when moving. Moreover, wearing clothing that absorbs sweat can also help you reduce the extra heat and discomfort caused by perspiration. You can even avoid the likelihood of electric shocks with it.
Dehydration is the number one cause of heat exhaustion, and it may result in serious health complications. That is why staying hydrated is very important, especially in industrial settings where you must work under harsh conditions. Therefore, it’s best not to sacrifice your health and safety needs because you can produce better results when you’re in your best condition.
Using large, heavy tools requires you to exert more energy, and the more likely you are to get sweaty when you use more energy. Thus, you should choose lightweight welding tools with the right amperage, appropriate gears, and accessories that can save you effort and keep you from heat exhaustion.
Whether you are welding indoors or outdoors, a proper ventilation system is crucial in ensuring your safety. The welding process requires appropriate respiratory systems and exhaust systems because natural ventilation or fresh air is not sufficient for such operations.
It’s necessary to have exhaust fans when welding outdoors or in open areas. Additionally, a powered air-purifying respirator is essential for welding in restricted and confined areas. You can avoid suffering from fumes, heat stress, and exhaustion with these ventilation systems.
Creating cool spaces for welding is also a great way to avoid the troubles caused by working under harsh conditions. Cool welding booths and stations are now easier to set up since portable ones are available on the market. With them, you can increase productivity. You can also save the time you need to take a break to cool down in the middle of working.
Beating the heat is an essential task during welding operations, and it shouldn’t be a very complicated thing to do. There are so many ways you can stay cool. Remember that even if you don’t have cooling welding hood fans, there are various tools and accessories you can use in place of them. So go get your preferred cooling system right away!