| American National Standards Institute |
ANSI. A private, non-profit organization that administers the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment system. ANSI provides a process for industry groups to create and publish the specifications for some PPE. |
| amperage |
A unit of measurement that indicates the amount of current flowing in a circuit. A weld using a higher amperage requires a higher lens shade number. |
| ANSI |
American National Standards Institute. A private, non-profit organization that administers the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment system. ANSI provides a process for industry groups to create and publish the specifications for some PPE. |
| apron |
A fabric or leather body covering that ties over the neck and behind the back. Aprons protect the front of the body from chest to knee. |
| aprons |
A fabric or leather body covering that ties over the neck and behind the back. Aprons protect the front of the body from chest to knee. |
| arc |
The area through which electricity moves between a welding electrode and workpiece. The arc generates heat that melts the base metals and filler metal during welding. |
| arc radiation |
The emission of ultraviolet and infrared rays produced during arc welding. Arc radiation can burn eyes and skin. |
| arc welding |
A welding process that uses electricity to generate the heat needed to melt and join base metals. Arc welding can cause damage to skin and eyes. |
| arm coverings |
A fabric or leather sleeve that fits over the arm to protect from various hazards. Arm coverings shield workers from heat, sparks, or splashes from chemicals or molten materials. |
| bib |
A piece of fabric or leather that attaches to a shoulder cape to provide additional coverage of the chest and abdomen. Bibs are detachable. |
| coveralls |
A full flame resistant suit worn over existing clothing. Coveralls protect the arms, neck, shoulders, chest, abdomen, back, and legs. |
| decibels |
A unit of measurement that indicates the intensity of sound. If occupational noise reaches or exceeds 85 decibels over an eight-hour period, employees must wear hearing protection. |
| earmuffs |
Full-ear coverings that are connected by a headband and create a perfect seal around the ear. Unless specially designed, earmuffs may interfere with wearing a welding helmet. |
| earplugs |
Hearing protection made of silicone or rubber designed to fit in the ear. Earplugs can be single-use, or they can be pre-formed for long-term use. |
| fire-resistance rated |
FR rated. Treated to slow the formation and spread of flames. FR rated clothing will not ignite and continue to burn like normal clothing. |
| Fire-resistant synthetic materials |
A manufactured synthetic textile that is flame retardant. Fire resistant synthetic material is light weight and cooler to wear. |
| fit testing |
An evaluation of the way in which personal protective equipment fits the wearer. Fit testing is required annually for respirators and other types of PPE. |
| FR rated |
Fire-resistance rated. Treated to slow the formation and spread of flames. FR rated clothing will not ignite and continue to burn like normal clothing. |
| gas cutting |
A process that uses a flame produced by fuel gases and oxygen to cut metal. Gas cutting requires a lens shade number between 6 and 7. |
| goggles |
Tight-fitting eye protection that completely covers the eyes, the eye sockets, and the surrounding facial area. Goggles offer protection from impact, dust, and spatter. |
| hard hat |
A lightweight, protective head covering used to protect the head from impacts, bumps, and electrical shock. Hard hats have a shock-absorbing lining with a headband and straps that suspend the shell away from the skull. |
| hazard assessment |
A written, formal appraisal of the safety risks that exist within a workplace. A hazard assessment is often used to determine appropriate types of PPE. |
| hazardous breathing environment |
Air that is contaminated with dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors. Employees must wear respirators when working in hazardous breathing environments. |
| hazards |
A source of danger or possible injury. Hazards can be physical hazards like falling objects or health hazards like chemical exposures. |
| hearing conservation program |
A formal program that consists of several standards intended to prevent worker hearing loss. A hearing conservation program must include noise evaluations, hearing tests, and hearing protection. |
| infrared rays |
An invisible emission of energy that occurs during heating processes such as arc welding. Infrared rays can damage vision. |
| leather |
A fabric made from cow hide that offers a natural resistance to heat and flames. Leather is often used as a material for welding protective clothing. |
| leggings |
Lower leg coverings made of leather or fabric that protect the legs from sparks and spatter. Leggings snap off and on for quick removal. |
| metatarsal guards |
A device that straps onto the shoe to protect the instep from impacts and crushing. Metatarsal guards may be made from aluminum, steel, plastic, or fabric. |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
OSHA. A government agency under the U.S. Dept. of Labor that sets the standards for working conditions in the United States. OSHA ensures that employees work in safe and healthy environments. |
| OSHA |
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A government agency under the U.S. Dept. of Labor that sets the standards for working conditions in the United States. OSHA ensures that employees work in safe and healthy environments. |
| overalls |
A flame-resistant pair of pants with an attached bib. Overalls protect the chest, abdomen, and legs. |
| oxyfuel welding |
A type of welding that uses a flame produced by fuel gases and oxygen to melt and join base metals. Oxyfuel welding requires a lens shade number between 5 and 9. |
| personal protective equipment |
PPE. Any example of safety equipment that workers wear or use to prevent injury in the workplace. Common PPE includes safety glasses, welding helmets, and hearing protection. |
| powered air purifying respirator |
PAPR. A form of PPE with an air-purifying filter, cartridge, or canister that removes specific air contaminants. PAPR welding helmets are required for breathing when welding in a hazardous breathing environment. |
| PPE |
Personal protective equipment. Any example of various safety equipment that workers wear or use to prevent injury in the workplace. Common PPE includes safety glasses, welding helmets, and hearing protection. |
| requirements |
A specific mandate that is contained in an OSHA standard. Employers must meet requirements to be considered compliant with OSHA safety standards. |
| respirator |
A breathing device worn to prevent inhalation of hazardous substances. Respirators may purify air or supply air for the wearer. |
| safety glasses |
Protective eyeglasses with metal or plastic frames and impact-resistant lenses that may or may not offer vision correction. Safety glasses worn for welding applications must also have protective side shields. |
| safety-toed boots |
Protective footwear with a reinforced toe area. Safety-toed boots prevent foot injury from falling objects. |
| shade number |
A number that denotes the darkness of the lens in a welding helmet. Different shade numbers are recommended for different welding operations. |
| shoulder capes |
A fabric or leather body covering that protects the arms, shoulders, chest, neck, and upper back. Shoulder capes drape over the body to allow unrestricted movement. |
| spatter |
Molten metal spray produced during welding operations. Spatter can land on a welder and cause burns. |
| spot welding |
A type of welding in which parts are squeezed together between two electrodes and subjected to a large amount of electric current to form a joint. Spot welding requires a lens shade number between 1 and 4. |
| standards |
An established policy on a particular practice or method. OSHA standards have the same power as law, and non-compliance can result in fines and other penalties. |
| treated cotton |
Fabric that is made from cotton plants and has chemical additives to change its properties. Treated cotton used for welding protective clothing must be fire resistant. |
| treated wool |
A naturally flame resistant fabric that is made from sheep hair and includes chemical additives to change its properties. Treated wool is fire-resistance rated. |
| ultraviolet rays |
UV rays. An invisible emission of energy produced by sources such as welding arcs. UV rays can damage vision and burn skin. |
| welding cap |
A protective head covering that protects a welder from burns due to sparks and spatter. Welding caps are worn under a welding helmet and are made from fire-resistance rated material. |
| welding gloves |
A type of hand and wrist covering used to protect the skin from welding hazards. Welding gloves are made from leather or other FR rated material. |
| welding gloves |
A type of protective hand and wrist covering used to protect the skin from welding hazards. Welding gloves are made from leather or other FR rated material. |
| welding helmets |
A heat-resistant head covering that protects against burns and eye damage. Welding helmets prevent burns from spatter and sparks and contain a darkened lens to protect the eyes from the welding arc. |
| welding jacket |
A light-weight coat made of flame resistant material worn to protect the upper body. Welding jackets cover the arms, chest, and back. |
| welding shields |
A heat-resistant face covering that protects against burns and eye damage. Welding shields prevent burns from spatter and sparks and contain a darkened lens to protect the eyes from the welding arc. |