You Can Really Weld That? How To Avoid Injuries When Welding Plastic
If you thought welding was just for metal work, you'd be wrong. There are a lot of different types of welding processes, including plastic. In fact, plastic welding is one of the most popular forms of welding today, although many people are still unfamiliar with the process. Plastic welding uses extreme heat to form a permanent bond between two or more pieces of plastic. Once the pieces have been welded together, it's virtually impossible to break the bond. If you're going to be working with plastic welding, you'll need to take some specific safety precautions. You can be seriously burned if you're not careful. Here are four safety precautions you should follow to avoid injuries or accidents:
Wear the Proper Safety Gear
You might think that working with plastic won't require special safety gear. However, that's not correct. The equipment you'll be working with will reach extreme temperatures, and so will the plastic you'll be welding together. To avoid serious burns and eye injuries, you should always wear the following safety gear when welding plastic:
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Safety goggles- to protect your eyes from hot debris
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Heat-resistant gloves- to prevent burns to your hands
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Long-sleeved shirt- to protect your arms from hot debris
Start with Clean Plastic
Before you start welding your pieces, you need to make sure that the plastic is clean. Working with contaminated plastic could lead to fires. Contaminated plastic can also prevent a permanent bond between the pieces. To avoid problems during welding, always clean your plastic to remove dirt, oils, and other contaminants.
Remove Work-Space Clutter
Because you'll be working with extreme temperatures, you'll want to ensure a clear workspace. Before you begin welding, make sure the clutter is removed from your space. This should include the cleanup of anything that could melt, or catch fire when exposed to extreme heat. Working within a clean space will help you avoid workplace injuries.
Take Care of Your Equipment
During the welding process, your equipment can become coated with melted plastic. If the melted plastic remains on your welding equipment, it can lead to overheating, which can pose a serious threat to your safety. Before you put your equipment away at the end of the day, be sure to remove any melted plastic that might be present. It's also important that you clean the filter to remove particulate matter that could interfere with proper welding performance.
Don't set yourself up for workplace injuries. If you're going to be welding plastic, use the information provided here to keep yourself safe. Contact a company like MGM Plastics for more information and assistance.