Air-Fed Welding Helmets

Ventilation Right Where the Welder Needs It

Weldtech offer a great range of Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) and “prepared-for air” welding helmets. People may still refer to this equipment as an air fed welding mask. In reality, they are all round protection: not just from glare, but fume as well. These including the popular ESAB Sentinel A50 and the 3M Speedglas welding helmets. Our selection of the best air fed welding helmet models gives you a choice of the most effective respiratory protective equipment solutions for professional welders’ needs.

The best PAPR welding helmets with air filters protect you! They keep out cutting, welding, grinding fumes and minimise dust inhalation very effectively indeed! The air filter draws air in from an area away from the workpiece and filters it. The blower unit pushes the filtered air up to the helmet where it flows past your mouth and nose delivering clean breathable air.

At the same time the inflow of air pushes outwards. This prevents dust and fume laden air from entering the space around your face. The system eliminates virtually all dust and fumes from being breathed in. The result is healthier long lived welding enthusiasts and professionals!

Why Is There A Need For Respiratory Protective Equipment?

The dust and fumes from welding and high temperature cutting have now been identified as a cause of serious lung diseases. This now makes it critically important to keep exposure to these health hazards at an absolute minimum. 

Employers (and hobby welders) can find it difficult to keep the air in the working area free of fume and dust. Fume extraction using Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) is often ineffective close to the work. If that's the case, some form respiratory protection needs to be worn by the welder. 

TIG and MIG welders used on aluminium generate aluminium oxide while the spark always generates ozone whatever the material being welded. Plasma cutters and traditional gas welding all create dust and fumes with varying harmful effects.

The diseases involved are nasty. As well as the usual cancers, the manganese that arises from mild steel fume is implicated in neurological damage. This results in a condition, similar to Parkinson’s Disease and possibly even kidney cancer.

What is The HSE’s Advice About Welding Fume & Dust protection?

In February 2019 the Health and Safety Executive issued a  strong warning  related to all welding fumes. The research linked these pollutants to lung cancer, some other cancer and neurological conditions. The research behind the directive concluded that there is no known safe level of exposure to welding fumes and dust.

It is essential for anyone using welding equipment to use protective respiratory welders helmets and local exhaust ventilation. It doesn't matter whether this is from air-fed welding helmets or other extraction technologies.

View the HSE / COSHH Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) leaflet here. Air fed welding masks and welding helmets allow individuals and businesses to protect themselves and employees from the harmful effects of welding fumes. They are equally effective in stainless steel or mild steel welding.

The best protection for welders combines the powered air filtration of a PAPR system with an auto darkening welding helmet design. This puts some pretty heavy duty protection in place to give you a safe working environment.