What is the minimum PPE required for hot work such as welding?

• A. Goggles, regular gloves, and work shirt.
• B. Hearing protection only.
• C. Safety glasses with side shields, electrically-rated gloves, and fire-resistant clothing.
• D. No PPE required.

Answer: (C)

Hot work like welding brings three main dangers: burns from sparks and radiant heat, eye injuries from the bright arc and flying debris, and electrical shock if you’re near live equipment. The minimum PPE to address these risks includes eye protection that covers against flying particles and glare, insulating protection for the hands, and clothing that won’t catch fire.

Safety glasses with side shields protect the eyes from sparks and debris and reduce exposure to the arc’s intense light. Electrically-rated gloves provide insulation against shock if there’s any chance of contacting energized parts, and fire-resistant clothing shields the skin from heat, sparks, and molten metal. Put together, these items cover eye safety, electrical safety, and burn protection—the essential protections needed for hot work in electrical environments.

Other options miss one or more critical protections: basic goggles or regular gloves don’t offer sufficient flame resistance; protection limited to hearing does nothing for eye or skin burns; and having no PPE is clearly unsafe.