Welding throws intense UV, heat, sparks and fume at you all at once. The good news is the protection is cheap, comfortable and effective — there's no excuse for getting "arc eye" or a spark burn in 2026. Here's the kit we'd send anyone out the door with.
The helmet — and the right shade
An auto-darkening helmet stays clear until the arc strikes, then darkens in a fraction of a millisecond, so you can position the torch with the helmet down and never flip it up mid-weld. Look for one with variable shade (typically DIN 9–13) and adjustable sensitivity and delay. As a rough guide: lower shades (9–10) for light MIG, higher shades (11–13) for high-amperage and TIG. A bigger viewing window and a couple of spare clear lens covers make a real difference day to day.
Never weld with a sunglasses-grade visor or a chipped lens — the UV from an arc will burn the surface of your eyes ("arc eye") within seconds, even from a glance at someone else's arc across the workshop.
Hands and arms
Match the glove to the process. MIG/MMA gauntlets are thick leather for heat and spatter resistance. TIG gloves are thinner and softer for the dexterity TIG demands — you sacrifice some heat protection for feel. Add a leather apron or welding jacket and sleeves for any serious session: molten spatter finds bare forearms and synthetic clothing, which melts. Cotton or leather over polyester, every time.
Lungs — don't breathe the fume
Welding fume is now classed as a carcinogen, and the rules expect you to control it. The first line of defence is extraction at source — a fume arm or a portable extractor pulling fume away before it reaches your face. Where that isn't practical, an FFP3 disposable mask or a powered air respirator helmet protects you directly. Stainless and galvanised steel are the worst offenders (chromium and zinc fume), so ventilate hard and never weld galv in a closed space.
Feet, ears and the rest of you
- Safety boots — steel or composite toe, and laces tucked in so a spark can't lodge in them.
- Ear protection — grinding and plasma cutting are loud; gouging is louder.
- No synthetic clothing or frayed cuffs near the arc, and no lighter in your pocket.
Fire is the silent risk: sparks travel further than you think and can smoulder for hours. Clear flammables from the area, keep a suitable fire extinguisher within reach, screen off others from the arc flash, and do a 30-minute "hot work" check of the area before you lock up. More good housekeeping in our care & storage guide.
Buy it once, buy it right
PPE is the one area where it pays to spend a little more — a good helmet you can see through and gloves that fit get worn; cheap, awkward kit ends up on the bench while you "just do this one quick weld". Tell us what you're welding and how often, and we'll set you up with protection that you'll actually keep on.