What personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory for welding?

Welding safety is governed by the CNESST in Quebec. Mandatory PPE includes:

Eye and face protection:

• Welding helmet with a shade filter selected from the table in CSA W117.2 (safety in welding), according to the process and the current used
• Safety glasses under the helmet (with side shields)
• Auto-darkening helmets are allowed: the switching time is stated on the helmet's data sheet

Respiratory protection:

• Welding fumes contain toxic metals (manganese, hexavalent chromium, iron oxides)
• Helmet with integrated air filtration system (PAPR): highly recommended for confined space welding
• The respirator is selected from the risk assessment (CNESST) and the safety data sheet for the metals being welded: a filtering mask alone is not sufficient for metal fumes

Body protection:

• Welding jacket in flame-resistant leather (no cotton or synthetic that can burn)
• Welding gloves: thick leather, long cuffs protecting the wrists
• Leather apron for heavy work
• Safety boots with steel toe (CSA Z195)
• Hearing protection: earplugs or earmuffs — grinding reaches the CNESST exposure limit, set at 85 dB(A) over an 8-hour day (Regulation respecting occupational health and safety)