It’s no easy task to learn to weld. You need patience, practice, and solid knowledge. Lots of companies find it challenging to train novice welders. It is recommended to instill good habits in them during the training process so that they can use those best practices throughout their career.
Here are the 7 most important things to teach novice welders:
- Safety always comes first
It is very critical for welders to protect themselves from heat and electricity that is generated during the welding process. The arc generated during welding is dangerous for eyes and skin. Hence why, welders are required to wear protective clothing and equipment all the time. These items include safety glasses, flame-resistant gloves, work boots, long-sleeved welding jacket and welding helmet (which can be bought from Welding Corner).
- Keep it clean
Before you start welding, clean the base material. You might also have to clean the surface during the welding as grease, oil, dirt and other debris can easily enter the weld pool. Oxidation and moisture can also be a culprit. The welder must be provided with proper instructions to clean the material prior to welding.
- Follow the welding procedures
To make consistent welds, you need to follow the welding procedure which is kind of a welding recipe. Whether you are a new or an experienced welder, you must follow the procedure all the time. Otherwise, this will affect the quality of the task at hand.
- Stay comfortable
As long as you keep cool and stay comfortable during the process, you reduce the chance of getting injured because of repetitive movement and overall fatigue. All new welders must be encouraged to play an active in improving their welding ergonomics. The key is to be involved. The more involved you are in the job, the more satisfying the results will be.
- Learn how to troubleshoot
As a new welder, you must be able to identify welding problems as quick as possible. Good troubleshooting can help you reduce the downtime and improve your productivity. With these skills, you can reduce the cost of reworking on a project.
- Inspect each weld visually
When it comes to quality control, all newbie must know how to conduct an accurate visual inspection. Welders must learn how to identify defects and fix them right away. This can save both time and cost associated with the testing that would be employed later on. It is equally important for welders to inspect cracks which are one of the common welding defects.
- Learn the importance of maintenance
Every part of welding requires maintenance. It is necessary to keep it operating effectively and efficiently. New welders must become familiar with the maintenance procedures to play an active part in keeping up with the welding system as a whole. They are supposed to check the power source, gas cylinders, distribution system, and the primary power line.
The best approach is always to incorporate good habits in welders so that they become a skilled worker who follows the right procedures.
