Ordering the correct Workwear for the job is simple enough and always the more money paid the better the quality which is a given. But there are some questions that you should always ask before purchasing the workwear oryou have seen or wish to buy.
1. Being quite an obvious one, and may not really need to apply if youre only buying for yourself but how many people/employees are you buying for? For big corporate companies especially, a lot of the companies that purchase from our Bodyguard Workwear portals (B2B services) it is vital to know how many people you are buying for along with the details of the garments required. Now for most if your buying for example 30 employees you would be most likely purchasing the same garment rather than different garments for each individual, but you still need to get information from everyone such as what sizes they require before making the purchase, especially if products are in urgent demand and the wearers need to get back to the job at hand on the work site as soon as. Another reason for knowing how many people you buy for is the more garments you buy in bulk the better deal we would be happy to deal you, this is a chat that may vary but one that you would have with one of our Bodyguard Team if you were interested in buying in bulk, we like to give the most competitive prices in the industry for PPE and Workwear.
2. Are you on a budget? Individuals, small business and even larger companies all have a budget in place that they will be spending on PPE and workwear. The bigger the company most likely bigger the budget but that is beyond the point. At Bodyguard Workwear we will cater for all people and companies of all budgets to suit their needs and still get quality and the best garments from us. We will let you know what is within your budget so you can make the right purchase and the best stuff for the job you need to do.
3. Another valid question and again this one is based more for B2B purchases but do you need any Logos or custom designs on the workwear? This is key to add to a uniform or workwear if you are trying to push that brand awareness out, a lot of companies already do this big and small, but if youre just starting out on your own independent business, it is worth looking into getting some brand designs onto your workwear outfits. Techniques of getting designs on your workwear include embroidery, printed logos, Vinyl transfers and heat seals. Furthermore, with Bodyguard Workwears high-quality workwear we can assure the logo will last washes and wear and tear on the work site.
Bodyguard workwear but you guys should know or have the ideas in your head before purchasing and this is what industry are you working in. There are a lot of guidelines for what PPE and what workwear should be worn in a certain environment. So, understanding what industry you are in is a key factor. For example, if working near the fire and heated environments we would be recommending and showing collections of gear relevant to that job such as flame and heat resistant clothing such as overalls and masks that have the build, technology and capabilities to avoid the wearing being burnt or harmed when working on the job.
4. A big question that also needs to be asked by the supplier, so by that we me us here atbut you guys should know or have the ideas in your head before purchasing and this is what industry are you working in. There are a lot of guidelines for what PPE and what workwear should be worn in a certain environment. So, understanding what industry you are in is a key factor. For example, if working near the fire and heated environments we would be recommending and showing collections of gear relevant to that job such as flame and heat resistant clothing such as overalls and masks that have the build, technology and capabilities to avoid the wearing being burnt or harmed when working on the job.
Hi-Vis garments as would everyone and most industries this is a mandatory requirement anyway, but we look deeper into that and how the Hi-Vis strips are displayed, the colour of the garments, the design actually on the garment, what materials are used for the garment which also may vary in what industry you work in again, like the last point, depending on the industry may depend on what sort of garments you should be wearing when working on-site or in dangerous environments. But also, if you have your workforce or require a specific colour and design to be working with a team we can provide the correct colour schemes and designs for both genders to be wearing and keep things in order as well as providing a high quality and comfortable workwear attire.
5. Another question you will need to ask yourself and evaluate for yourself is what styles do you prefer and what styles do you need. Here at Bodyguard Workwear we always recommendas would everyone and most industries this is a mandatory requirement anyway, but we look deeper into that and how the Hi-Vis strips are displayed, the colour of the garments, the design actually on the garment, what materials are used for the garment which also may vary in what industry you work in again, like the last point, depending on the industry may depend on what sort of garments you should be wearing when working on-site or in dangerous environments. But also, if you have your workforce or require a specific colour and design to be working with a team we can provide the correct colour schemes and designs for both genders to be wearing and keep things in order as well as providing a high quality and comfortable workwear attire.
Welding helmets have come a long way since the first arc welding helmet. While todays helmets are feature-packed and much improved, all helmets are not created equal. There are many variables to consider when selecting a hood. In this article, the guys over at WeldGuru give us the top 7 factors to consider before pressing the buy button.
what to look for in a welding helmet
First things first, your welding helmet must fit properly. While this sounds like a no-brainer, a proper fit is essential for both safety and comfort. To figure out if your helmet fits properly, ask yourself the following questions:
A proper fit provides the utmost protection against welding rays. To protect your face and neck from burns, spatter and UV rays, make sure your face, neck, and ears are covered by the helmet.
Headgear is one of the most important components of the perfect fit. The best headgear is customizable to your head and offers a snug yet comfortable fit, regardless of your head shape and size. A good example of customizable headgear is optrels
IsoFit headgear
, compatible with all optrel hoods.
Another way to ensure proper fit is to move your head up and down in the helmet. Your helmet shouldnt tilt during this process. If it does, make sure youre able to adjust the tension and stabilize the helmet.
When selecting a welding helmet, the viewing area is an essential component. Also called the field of vision, the viewing area is how much visibility you have from behind the lens. Welding hoods offer various viewing area sizes. What to look for depends on a few factors including your welding environment, the type of welding you do and your personal preference.
Many welders prefer a large viewing area as it offers a better view of the arc, puddle, and workpiece. If you are a hobbyist, a single viewing pane might suffice. A smaller viewing area can offer greater concentration, which may be advantageous for TIG welders. Its also typically less expensive than a helmet with a large field of view. In contrast, hoods with larger viewing areas offer a bigger view of the work environment, allowing you to see mistakes and self-correct.
When fabricating or performing out-of-position work, a larger area, often called a panoramic view, provides greater visibility of your welding project and your environment. The Panoramaxx CLT gives a wide true-color view of the weld pool to help reduce eye strain and improve performance. Additionally, the high-resolution Panoramaxx lens allows you to see more clearly, making it easier to detect discoloration and imperfections. For this reason and many others, we rated the Panoramaxx CLT the best welding helmet, over at WeldGuru.
The clarity of your lens is so important. It becomes even more crucial if youre welding professionally or for long hours as a clear lens is thought to prevent fatigue and increase productivity. Superior lens clarity also makes it easier to spot problems as you weld, before they get out of hand.
Lens clarity is designated by a rating system. A rating of 1/1/1/1 describes perfect optical clarityan undistorted view from behind the lens.
Aside from the ranking, other factors can hinder clarity, including:
if you wear glasses to see better close up, often called cheaters, consider choosing a helmet that offers a magnifying lens. Optrel offers
Link to Wei Guang
mag lenses
for the Panoramaxx Series in strengths ranging from +1.00 to +2.00.
if youre welding in a humid environment or you tend to sweat under the hood, consider a helmet with anti-fog components. The nose cut-out design of the Panormaxx offers one of the best ways to eliminate fogging of your lens.
light transmission describes how much light transmits through the lens. The industry standard welding helmet has a light transmission of 5% which isnt great for setup and makes prep work difficult. The optrel CLT 2.0 set a record of 31% light transmission in bright conditions (protection level 2) for a practically unclouded and clear view of their work environment.
this refers to the ability to see untinted, real colors of the weld pool and metal. True colors allow you to see your weld in detail and offer a clear view of the welding area. The
Crystal 2.0
is a very reliable option if youre looking for a lid with excellent color perception.
While auto-darkening lenses arent new, they are considerably newer than passive lenses. Optrel was one of the welding industrys original inventors of auto-darkening filters (ADFs). An ADF lens does exactly as the name states; it darkens automatically when you weld or strike an arc, eliminating the need to flip the hood up and down.
Passive lenses stay fixed at a certain shade, regardless of the environment or brightness. Hobbyist welders or those who dont weld often might choose a fixed shade lens as they are usually less expensive.
There are two types of ADFs. The less common is a fixed shade, that auto-darkens to a fixed shade. The more common ADF is a variable shade. This allows you to select the appropriate shade level, depending on the intensity of the arc.
Shade numbers are categorized on a sliding scale called a DIN rating. This German industrial standard is used worldwide to gauge the light transmission filter level. Darker filters have higher DIN numbers and block more radiation than lighter filters with lower DIN numbers.
ADFs are much easier to use overall, especially when welding in low-light conditions. If youre looking for a variable shade welding helmet, check out the optrel Crystal 2.0. This welding hood automatically adapts to the welding arc and changing light conditions. The ultra-bright viewing area provides a clear view of weld puddle and reduces eye strain and fatigue.
If youve ever used an uncomfortable welding helmet, you know how frustrating it is. If the hood doesnt fit right, lacks sufficient ventilation or weighs a ton, the entire welding experience hits differentand not in a good way.
There are many different helmets available that offer comfort and safety. One of the best examples of this is the Panoramaxx CLT, mentioned throughout this article. The Isofit headgear in the Panoramaxx is widely hailed as the most comfortable headgear on the market. Moreover, the patented nose cutout design ensures your helmet will not fog up easily. And, despite its massive viewing area, its also one of the lightest helmets available.
When the topic of overhead welding comes up, typically someone in the room advises you to avoid overhead welding at all costs. For obvious reasons, gravity is not your friend when it comes to welding. Still, there are times when overhead welding is necessary. What Im about to say might surprise youthe majority of helmets on the market are not approved for overhead welding.
The good news? All of the helmets in optrels sphere series are approved for overhead welding, including:
One of the best features of optrel helmets is the spherical design. The spherical design of these helmets prevents slag and debris from burning a hole in your lens. Instead of filler material or metal slag sticking to your hood, the debris rolls off the lens of your helmet, protecting your eyes and face.
One of the coolest features available in many optrel helmets is the Shadetronic feature. Shadetronic is unlike anything available on the market. This built-in sensor automatically changes the shade level of your lens based on the intensity of light it detects.
Other helmets require you to adjust the shade level manually. Manual shade adjustment means you need to know the exact shade level you need. If youre like most welders, youll go for a shade that feels right, based on your personal preference. This strategy works until it doesnt. The problem is, you wont know if your shade level provides adequate protection until its too late.
If you weld at a higher amp than your shade level protects for, youre out of the range of protection. In the short term, youll experience fatigue. In the long-term, a lack of sufficient protection has been proven to damage the eyes irreversibly.
One school of thought is to always weld at a higher shade level, for instance, shade level 13. The disadvantage to this is the strain it puts on your eyes when you weld at lower amps and everything becomes dark. This can increase the risk of future eye problems.
With Shadetronic, youll always get the right shade protection and clarity. Automatic shade level adjustment helps boost productivity and reduce fatigue. This patented technology is available in the Panaromaxx range of helmets, the Crystal 2.0 and the e684.
When it comes to choosing a welding helmet, the most important factor is you. If youre like most welders, youll start out with a bottom-of-the-line helmet, something you pick up at the local hardware store just to get by. As you progress in your career, youll begin to understand the challenges inherent in cheap helmets. In addition to the 7 key features of a welding helmet that we listed above, a few other things to consider include:
Type of welding: If youre a MIG welder, look for a helmet with a large shade range to accommodate more amps. MIG welding also tends to generate more heat than TIG, so you might consider going with a heat reflective helmet such as the Crystal 2.0 in silver . The silver paint on the Crystal 2.0 provides more than a 30% reduction in heat than the same hood in black.
Welding helmets provide the ultimate protection for your face, skin and eyes. Its not worth it to risk your eyesight and health to save a few bucks. There are many excellent welding hoods to be found, regardless of your price range.
We hope this article helps you better understand what to look for when buying a welding helmet. If you have a specific question, contact us at [ protected].
The company is the world’s best Hi Vis Helmet supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.