If you plan to weld at home or in a different workspace than you typically do, you’ll have to adjust the area to make it safe for welding. Below, we offer helpful tips on how to make a welding area safe.

1. Ground the workspace

One of the most important tips for practicing safe welding habits, whether at home or the workplace, is to ground yourself and the workplace. In a welding workspace, you’ll work with many conductive materials that allow static electricity to flow freely, which can lead to severe issues for welders.

Ideally, your workspace is free of metal floors, and there should not be any standing water. Do a close examination of the workspace before working and ensure that it’s grounded and free of conductive materials.

Pro Tip: Install a grounded object in the workspace that you can touch before and after welding to ground yourself.

2. Make sure there’s ventilation

Every welder knows that ventilation is key to making a welding area safe. Toxic fumes and gasses are always dangerous when welding, especially if you’re doing it at home or in a makeshift welding area that’s not equipped for hot work.

If you’re welding outside, fumes shouldn’t be a problem, but if you’re welding at home in a garage or a basement, you’ll want to double-check the ventilation.

If you’re in a garage or basement, opening a door or window to the outside should be enough, provided you work near the opening and it’s large enough. If not, consider getting a portable fume extractor designed for welders to work indoors without ventilation.

3. Remove obstacles & flammable materials

Whether you’re welding metal or crafting wood, a clean workspace is a safe workspace. A welder’s workspace should be free of clutter, and you should minimize the number of cables and hoses on the ground, so you don’t accidentally trip.

Before and after each welding, take an inventory of the workspace and do some cleaning and organizing. While you’re at it, ensure you remove any flammable materials from the space, such as:

 Paper

 Cloth rags

 Oil

 Gasoline

It may seem obvious, but if you’re working at home for the first time, you may forget you have flammable materials stored nearby, so thoroughly inspect the area before working.

Welding can be dangerous for even the most skilled and experienced welders, and it’s imperative to weld in a safe area. Stay safe while you’re working, and happy welding!