Contractors Hot Line August 9, 2024 | Page 18

you weld something, it can create some pretty noxious fumes. You need some type of exhaust or smoke eater.”
closed-toed( preferably steeltoed) footwear, HEPA-filtered or supplied-air respirators, aprons, hearing protection, and safety glasses or goggles.
As always, make sure the area you’ re about to weld in is clear of any obstacles or hazards that could cause a slip or fall resulting in bodily injury. The tried-and-true phrase,“ a clean work area is a safe work area” applies to any welding project as it does to any task.
Whatever type of welding you’ ll be doing, safety is paramount.
Ventilation is also key to any welding activity. No matter what type of welding you will be performing, there are potentially dangerous gases involved. Combined with working with a flame means that ventilation cannot be overlooked.
“ You can get really sick [ without proper ventilation ]," says Erik Esslinger, owner of Bore Repair Systems in Langdon, New Hampshire.“ When
Variables to Any Task
Anyone who’ s ever worked on any project in their garage, let alone major construction projects, will tell you no two jobs are the same. The same is true in welding. In addition to shapes, sizes, materials, in many cases there are also weather and climate variables with which to contend.
“ If you’ re working outside on a windy day, you need to make some accommodations to block the wind,” said Esslinger.“ If you don’ t, it could leave pinholes and affect the quality of the weld. It won’ t be a nice, smooth weld.”
Bore Repair Systems is a company that offers automated welding and machining equipment designed to be used both in the shop and field. The company offers accessories for use with their welding equipment such as plates that block the wind, helping keep the shielding gas in place. Other times, tents are used to ensure wind won’ t negatively affect a repair in progress.
Esslinger also mentions that preparing the metal surface before starting any welding is critical. Any welder wants to make sure the surface they are about to work on is clean and free of foreign material such as grease, dirt or effects of weather.
Bore Repair works with a wide range of companies with
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