AIR FED WELDING HELMETS

[tw15]

Now I believe its law for welding you must use a air fed welding helmet. I was looking at them and thought I would ask here for recommendations.

 

[Cowcalf]

Now I believe its law for welding you must use a air fed welding helmet. I was looking at them and thought I would ask here for recommendations.

think the law requires the fumes to be collected filtered and the clean air released an air fd mask on its own would not suffice I believe

 

[TheTallGuy]

think the law requires the fumes to be collected filtered and the clean air released an air fd mask on its own would not suffice I believe

Pretty much - essentially an air fed mask only protects the wearer & only whilst they are wearing the mask, whereas an air extraction system makes the area safer.... or so the theory goes.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/mild-steel-welding-fume.htm

First step is LEV (Local Exhaust & Ventilation)/"Engineering Control" - if that is insufficient then PPE comes into play.

 

[tw15]

We have a large extractor fan in the roof of the workshop . I thought the welding operator had to have a air feed to his mask as well .

 

[TheTallGuy]

We have a large extractor fan in the roof of the workshop . I thought the welding operator had to have a air feed to his mask as well .

It depends on how well the extractor removes the fumes from the area. From the link I provided:

Where engineering controls alone cannot control exposure, then adequate and suitable RPE should be provided to control risk from any residual fume.

 

[Deutzdx3]

Jackson albatross are very good. Doubles up as a grinding helmet as well.

 

[GJT1985]

Speed glass is the dogs danglys but a bit pricey

 

[charliem]

If you are going to spend your money, look into ventilation systems, but if you're outside then get the mask

 

[Phil P]

Been using a one of these made by weltec for around 5years now, got it from R tech welding supplies.
The fan unit is a little on the bulky side compared to the speed glass unit but you soon get use to it. Flip up front is great for swapping between grinding/welding, the welding screen also has a grinding mode which is handy for using with the plasma as it doesn’t go to dark to see what your cutting.