Welder World Blog

Stuart H:

Use basic common sense. Yes, the amperage of a welder is very high, but the voltage isn’t that high (normally 80 VDC). So it’s not as dangerous as it first would appear: you need both a certain amount of voltage and amperage for it to be highly dangerous. But of course there is a tremendous amount of electrical power in a welder, so you’ve got to be careful. (Obviously there’s a lot of heat involved too.)
Basic rules: always wear welder’s gloves and welder’s face mask with its super-dark visor; wear thick cotton or leather clothes (not artificial fabrics) and thick rubber-soled leather boots. And of course make sure everything’s dry!

dingodev:

You should buy a basic welding book. It will go over the safety rules and other helpful information. Maybe check for some youtube videos on training.
The electrode can be negative or positive at a push of a button or switch. It really doesn’t matter for safety what direction the power is flowing.
You can touch the ground clamp even if the welder is on just don’t touch the electrode at the same time. You can touch the ground clamp and electrode holder at the same time because the holder insulated(and you have gloves). That is if you equipment is in good shape . Again the gloves should protect you anyway. Or be smart and put the holder down for 10 seconds.
yes you can put a new electrode in the hold when its running. Good idea is to make sure none of your skin is touching the grounded metal.
Again your glove on the electrode should protect you but this will make double sure.
Yes you can touch metal being welded as it’s being welded. Make sure you have a good ground when your touching it. The welder wouldn’t mind making you the ground loop, if you touch youy skin to the metal or have a cut in your gloves or have wet gloves.
Over all Don’t touch anything with your skin or lightly protected skin.
Keep gloves on.
Don’t work in wet gloves.
Keep equipment in good working order.
Make sure you have a good ground.