Personal protective equipment for workers is special clothing, shoes and accessories, the task of which is to protect the bodies and faces of employees in enterprises. Each profession has its own PPE, and face protection plays an important role in the work of a welder . For this purpose, special face shields are used. What are they and what are their features?
Targets and goals
The protective face shield is a modern tool that prevents various substances, chemicals, acids, liquids or sparks from getting into the face. And some models can become reliable protection against radiation. As a rule, such masks are widely used in a number of works - from welding to repair and decoration of facades. When choosing this tool, you need to proceed from the degree of value of the shield, since this particular factor ensures the safety of the work process. For the manufacture of its protective part, light, non-toxic and flame-resistant materials are used. Convenience of operation is provided by handles and head caps. Face shields are widely used:
- in construction;
- gas and oil industry;
- ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy;
- chemical industry;
- machine and aircraft industry.
It is noteworthy that the protective face shield can be used not only by welders, but also during plastering or repair work.
What materials?
For the manufacture of modern shields high-strength materials are used, which are resistant to various types of wear, mechanical and shock loads. A well-thought-out production technology ensures that the products will withstand any temperature changes. Accordingly, shields can be used in any climatic conditions.
In most cases, the protective face shield is made of polycarbonate, which protects the face well from excessive heat. The second popular option is the use of non-combustible plastic, which can reduce the intensity of heat radiation by almost 50%. In addition, plastic serves as a reliable protection of the face from mechanical stress due to its good impact resistance.
If you need a cheap model, you can choose shields made of organic glass or PMMA - thermoplastic plastic. The use of modern technology makes it possible to increase the resistance of the material to shocks and chemical influences. The most important thing is that all three materials are distinguished by their dielectricity, which makes it possible to use them when working with electrical installations.
Technology for comfort
The welder's suit and other components for it are created taking into account modern technologies that allow to achieve a high level of safety. It is noteworthy that for tailoring suits manufacturers use materials such as suede, leather, cloth, tarpaulin, which are complemented by a special non-combustible lining.
The use of high-tech methods is the guarantee that the use of personal protective equipment will be safe and comfortable.
The protective face shield has a well-thought-out design that ensures the lightness of the accessory itself and reduces the strain on the neck. The screen glass in them has 100% transparency, so the slightest optical distortion is minimized. Accordingly, the eyes will not get tired during work. Inside the shields, there are soft pads that do not distract the eyes when working. Due to the special straps, the flap is securely fixed on the face.
What kinds are there?
Modern protective guards for welders and other professions are presented in a variety of types and differ in their characteristics. Among the popular options stand out:
- universal type guards;
- helmet guards;
- guards with fastenings on a helmet for welding;
- protective face shields for electric welding.
The universal guard of the welder can be used during any work where it is necessary to protect the face from damage. Such masks serve as protection against the ingress of small particles, splashes, sparks. Among the features of this configuration can be noted the ease of mounting, an elongated screen, slightly sloping down. Ergonomic design for easy operation of the visor.
Vision
Such models have a head mount, an enlarged screen. For example, the Vision shield is made of heat-resistant polycarbonate and provides reliable protection against flying particles. An elongated screen protects the neck, upper chest, and a special composition is used to cover it, which serves as protection against abrasion and scratches. The head mount is complemented by a soft and hygienic shutter.
NBT2 SUPER "Vision" deserves special attention - the shield, which is also created from shockproof and heat-resistant polycarbonate. Its feature is in the anti-fog screen.
Safety Helmets
The welder's face shield can also be used in construction, as it is convenient to remove and wear it. Helmet-mounted products feature a convenient design that can be locked in different positions. A special lifting and fixing device is created from heat-resistant and cold-resistant materials that are not susceptible to wear.
Among such models can be noted KBT "Vision" ENERGO, which has a fog-free screen with a fire-resistant edging. The mount itself is universal and suitable for any suit of the welder, and heat-resistant materials without the use of metal elements were used for its production. Any vision guards are distinguished by the thoughtfulness of the screen:
- the screen is completely removable, therefore, a good overview is provided with good protection of the face, head;
- a very strong layer is used to cover it, which remains resistant when exposed to scratches, abrasion;
- screen materials help reduce the intensity of thermal radiation by about a quarter;
- each shield is complemented by a visor of an improved shape, which provides complete head protection.
Fubag
A wide selection of professional equipment, including accessories for welding, offers the German brand FUBAG. The manufacturer himself focuses on the fact that the welding masks created by him meet the requirements for safe operation. In the line of this German brand there is a huge number of masks that can be used during welding. Thus, the FUBAG BLITZ 11 welder mask is created from a flexible and durable material and has a special body shape that protects the screen from fogging during operation.
This mask contributes to the effective protection of the welder's eyes, even during prolonged work. The model is equipped with a light filter of the "chameleon" system, which automatically darkens the screen when the welding arc is ignited. You can adjust the sensitivity of the optical sensor to set the desired mode for the welder.
The FUBAG ULTIMA 5-13 PANORAMIC BLACK mask, which is made in 3D design and has the largest viewing area of 100 x 93 mm, can be considered innovative. The distinctive features of this accessory include an increased speed of automatic switching of the screen to a dark state, smooth adjustment of sensitivity and degree of dimming, and the presence of four optical sensors.
FUBAG BLITZ 9-13 TIGER is a mask for the welder, which, with reliability, has a striking design solution and ergonomic body shape. Among the additional functions can be noted disabling the filter when it is necessary to carry out grinding when cleaning the seams.
NBT
The protective shield of the NBT is an integral part of the mandatory means of personal protection of the welder. With this accessory, you can protect your face and eyes from chips, sparks, splinters and splashes of various liquids. For the manufacture of the screen part of the shields, colorless high-impact polycarbonate is used, the thickness of which is only 1 mm. For a greater view, the optics are enlarged and covered with a layer that provides resistance to chips and scratches. These shields are widely used in the chemical industry, metallurgy, gas and oil refining, machine and automotive.
Welder shield HN-10 PREMIER FavoriT is an accessory made of heat-resistant material that does not burn and does not change in composition at any temperature difference. The thought-over design in combination with a high-quality light filter provides reliable protection for the face and head as a whole. The head mount of the model can be adjusted in the desired position.
conclusions
Thus, protective shields for the face, head, eyes are modern accessories that can be used in any kind of activity where appropriate protection is required. The guards are presented in a wide range of models, so there is always the opportunity to choose the option for your preferences. With compactness, the guards are versatile and comfortable, providing complete face protection. Innovative solutions embedded in masks provide a large field of view, making it possible to carry out continuous welding work in different welding modes.