We recently received a call from a customer that wanted to know if there were any limitations to welding for individuals with a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator.  I had never thought about it before and I didn’t know the answer.  I decided to research it and share my findings with all of our readers and customers here on the blog.  Since this is an important issue that affects many men and women, we thought we’d post this blog both here and on the Carmen Electrode blog.

Conclusion and Disclaimer

Since this is a very serious medical issue and we are not very serious medical people, we will post the most important conclusion of this blog post right up front: consult your doctor!  Only your heart doctor can tell you what activities are dangerous, and how you should handle them.  Welding is an activity that is considered dangerous, so read up on the resources we provide below, do your own research, and most importantly, call your doc!  We provide resources and information that we’ve found in our research, but this is no replacement for your doctor’s expertise.  They didn’t spend years in medical school for nothing.

Electromagnetic Energy

The primary concern when welding with a pacemaker or defibrillator is the high electromagnetic (EM) energy created by the welding machine.  This electromagnetic energy can cause your pacemaker to continuously pace the heart, which can cause an irregular heart rate if your heart is already beating fine on its own.  On the other hand, the spike in EM energy when spot welding or starting a bead can cause a pacemaker to pause temporarily if it were pacing your heart.  Both of these situations are not good.  Implanted defibrillators could detect the EM energy from the welder as a fast heart rhythm, causing it to deliver shock (yikes!).

Interestingly, according to medtronic, the electromagnetic field created by a welding machine won’t cause any permanent damage or re-programming to your pacemaker or implanted defibrillator.  The primary concern is how these devices behave in the presence of the intense electromagnetic energy.  Any potential effects will end when the welding is stopped or turned off.

Another point to note is that Oxy-Fuel welding does not create an electromagnetic field, so it is safe to use with an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator.

How Can I Reduce The Risk?

Here’s a good list of precautions that we found from Medtronic:

• Limit welding current to less than 120 amps
• Work in a dry area with dry gloves and shoes
• Maintain a 2 foot distance between the welding arc and the heart device
• Keep the welding cables close together (twist them together if possible) and as far away as possible from your heart device
• Place the welding machine as far away as possible, and at least 5 feet away from your work area
• Wait several seconds between attempts when having difficulty starting a weld (don’t rapidly pulse the welder)
• Work in an area that offers firm footing and plenty of room for movement
• Work with an informed person that understands what you’re dealing with
• Immediately stop welding and step away from the area if you start to feel lightheaded, dizzy, or you believe your implantable defibrillator has delivered a shock

Resources

AWS

Medtronic

American Heart Association

Pacemaker Club discussion on the topic

From EHS Today (the magazine for environment, health and safety leaders):

OSHA’s fall semi-annual regulatory agenda was published in the Federal Register Dec. 20, featuring updates on regulatory actions including the Injury and Illness Prevention Program, modernizing recording and reporting requirements, infectious diseases, hazard communication, combustible dust and more.

CONTINUE READING–>

At Arc-Zone.com we think safety is important also. In fact, you may have noticed that we have been enhancing our line of welding safety apparel and equipment–  from Miller’s Arc Armor and Weld X to Angelfire welding apparel for women, BSX Welding apparel, and some of the best welding helmets on the market.  We’ve also been working behind the scenes as well.   We’ve just put the finishing touches on a Technical Focus  paper, Eye Care for Welders (.pdf), also available in the Arc-Zone.com Welding Library.

Miller Electric Mfg. Co. has just introduced WeldX™, a revolutionary new apparel line for personal welding protection that is lightweight and breathable, yet provides exceptional flame and spatter resistance–available at Arc-Zone.com!

This stylish safety apparel comes in classic black and is sixty percent lighter than most leathers and also lighter than many flame resistant cotton garments, WeldX represents the next generation in protecting welders from the hazards of heavy-duty welding, while also reducing the potential for heat stress-related injuries.

The WeldX line offers protection in a welding apron, welding bib, cape sleeves, welding jacket (pictured above) and welding sleeves.

Originally developed for military applications, Miller’s new WeldX fabric combines the lightweight and breathability benefits of cotton with exceptional spatter and flame resistance to provide maximum welder protection.

Flame resistance is inherent to WeldX – laundering will not degrade its performance over time. WeldX is based on a fabric technology that has proven its performance and durability in iron production, race car driving, high voltage electrical work, firefighting and other potentially catastrophic applications. The fabric consists of a blend of oxidized acrylic fibers and modern strengthening fibers, which are then treated with a proprietary compound that allows the resulting material to “shed” spatter and sparks upon contact. The proprietary compound is embedded into the individual fibers rather than being applied topically, allowing the garment to retain a high degree of pliability and maneuverability. In even the most extreme environments, WeldX will not burn, melt, ignite or shrink.

The newest addition to Miller’s popular Arc Armor™ line of welding protection, WeldX garments are available as standard welding jackets, sleeves, cape sleeves, bibs and aprons, offering a range of protection options for a variety of applications and industries. For most applications, WeldX will deliver the highest level of welder protection required without a corresponding increase in heat stress, keeping your welders safe, comfortable and more productive.

About Miller
Miller Electric Mfg. Co., headquartered in Appleton, Wis., is a leading worldwide manufacturer of Miller brand arc welding equipment and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW).
For more information, visit Miller’s Web site at www.MillerWelds.com

This Bitchen New Bag was introduced at the AWS/Fabtech Welding Show in Atlanta on 11/03/2010….  and I got an up close look at it.  I can tell you–  I’m getting one for my shop!

These welding gear packs are going to be popular for Christmas so PRE ORDER your BSX Welder’s Helmet Bag / Gear Pack today!

BSX Welders GearPack / Helmet Bag is styled in black and gray with red accent piping–  AND it’s rugged making it a great way to Store AND Transport your welding gear.

This specialized backpack is constructed of high-quality materials and engineered with a quick-action HelmetCatch (which makes it easy to access your helmet). The side pockets fit two pairs of gloves, and the large storage area with rigid side walls  protects and stores your torch, and other tools–  and even your lunch box!

Roll to the jobsite, welding class or through the airport with the BSX Helmet Bag and you’ll be noticed!  We even joked around the office that this would make a great backpack for cycling to school (with a place to store your bike helmet) or the bowling alley (with a spot for your bowling ball)!

The exclusive quick-action HelmetCatch™ makes this gear pack stand out above all others. It introduces a secure 5-point rigging system and fast drawbridge action designed to make protecting your helmet a snap. The padded construction of the HelmetCatch™ helps protect the expensive lens from bumps and scratches, while the unique shape accommodates welding helmets of all sizes. The gear pack itself can be worn over the shoulders as a rugged backpack with fully adjustable ergonomic straps, or it can also be carried by its sturdy, rivet-reinforced top handle.

Constructed with rigid walls, the GB100 supports a welding helmet and heavy duty welding gloves on the outside, while leaving plenty of storage room within. The inside features pockets designed to organize hammers, brushes, tip cleaners, electrodes and more. A utility carabiner and a free lunch cooler are also included with the package.

Pre-Order your bag Today from  Arc-Zone– they’ll be available in December.  Just in time for the holidays.

I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard at work before!  This guy has a gift – if not for welding, then definitely for writing!

Attempting to weld in the age of duct tape

Al Batt, Tales from Exit 22
Published Wednesday, March 10, 2010

I don’t like to wear socks.

I wear them but I don’t like it.

I consider socks to be a fire hazard.

I took a welding class at a college that once thrived in Waseca.

It wasn’t my idea. It was my employer’s idea. He felt that the duct tape I used wasn’t as strong as a weld. He was annoyingly conscientious. Welding started during the Bronze Age, and it survives into the Duct Tape Age. I went to college during the day and worked nights. The welding class gave me something to fill those hours that I had been wasting on sleep.

My father had taught me how to weld with a derelict welder he had rescued from a junkyard. It was a serious stapler that performed basic farm welding with little attention paid to aesthetics.

On the farm, I welded broken wagon tongues and tractor hitches. I gave up welding once I quit breaking wagon tongues and tractor hitches.

I would have been happy not knowing anything more about welding. Welding isn’t even an Olympic event. It could be in the Winter Olympics. Replacing the brooms with welders would make curling a little more exciting.

CONTINUE READING ONLINE ->

Crazy Germans and their sausage.  And I fully mean that as a compliment, because we here at Arc-Zone.com were all amazed and highly entertained by what happened next.

German welders + sausage + welding machine = Electric grill for men???

Adventurous Germans Grill Sausages with an Industrial Welder

“Eventually, the tube was so hot that the arc had to be shut down because the fat was on the verge of spontaneous combustion.”

By Vin Marshall  Posted 03.22.2010

Barbecue grills don’t typically require eye protection, but then, they’re typically not made from a giant TIG welder and an industrial sausage positioner either.

That’s something these Germans set out to change with the “Electric Grill For Men.”

What would you do if you needed to endurance-test a large industrial welding power supply?

You’d probably rig up something like the apparatus pictured here, in which a TIG welding torch draws a continuous arc along a slowly rotating piece of aluminum tubing mounted in a work positioner normally used for pipe welding.

As the long weld bead is laid down, the power supply is tested to verify that it can maintain its rated output and duty cycle without melting down. In the process, a great deal of heat is generated.

What would you do if you hated to see all of that heat going to waste? And furthermore, if you loved sausage?

CONTINUE READING ONLINE ->

This has to be my favorite topic post ever from the Miller Discussion Boards. It started three years ago, and amazingly, continues up until, probably whenever you’re reading this! From the over five hundred responses I picked out twenty of my favorites – see if you recognize any!

You Might Be a Welder If…

Got any more YMBAWI quotes?  Let’s start another marathon thread here!

Having trouble with your SMAW?  Practical Welding Today® has this great article that talks you through the SMAW process from start to finish and even includes a section on troubleshooting some of your more troublesome welds.  Enjoy!

SMAW: A welder’s guide

Advice and troubleshooting tips for beginners

By Harry Sadler

Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) is the most common form of arc welding. However, creating a good weld is not always easy, especially for a beginner. Following a few simple tips as well as learning the common weld defect and how to fix them will have you on your way to laying quality SMAW welds.

Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) is the most common form of arc welding. However, creating a good weld is not always easy, especially for a beginner. Unlike gas metal arc welding (GMAW), in which you basically point and shoot, SMAW requires a higher skill level and a mastery of certain techniques.

By following a few simple tips, even beginners can learn how to spot common weld defects and fix them to create a high-quality weld.

CONTINUE READING ONLINE ->

Do you have any other practical SMAW tips that you’d like to share–  post some below!

Pro Gear Packages™ – Three Gear Pak’s to Choose From

Now you can get all the top gear needed to complete that school welding program or upgrade your favorite fabricators current safety gear!

Your Pro-Gear Pak features the stylish flame-resistant BSX™ welding gear built for performance and safety; including, the Striker Jacket, the FireRag™ doo rag, and two pairs of matching gloves—one designed for Stick and MIG welding and one designed specifically for high performance TIG welding.

Included With Your Pro-Gear Pak:

• Top-of-the-line HellRaiser™ anti-fog safety glasses by Jackson™
• Miller’s complete set of slide-rule welding guides for Stick, MIG, and TIG welding
• The handy tungsten stick-out gauge
• Joe Welder’s TIG Welding guides
• Upgrade With A Welding Helmet and Gear Bag:
• Now you can choose to include either the Inferno™ Passive Welding Helmet by Miller™, or a full-feature Nex-Gen™ Auto Darkening Helmet by Jackson™.  Both selections include a deluxe helmet/gear bag from Jackson™.

See What Customers Have to Say:

“Leave your lighters in the locker rooom.”  That’s the advice of the folks from Mythbusters on welding with a lighter in your pocket.  Don’t believe them (or your coworkers)?  Check out this video: