EN ISO 11611:2015 – Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes

Standard for protective clothing that protects the wearer during weldingor the performance of similar work. The standard is relevant forwelders and industrial workers.

Design requirements

The garment is manufactured based on the design requirements specified in the standard. Example of such requirements:

• There must not be any pleats, folds etc. where droplets of molten metal cancollect.
• No penetrating metal
• Minimum 20 cm overlap between jacket and trousers in allworking positions.

Criteria for choice of clothing for weldingclass selection.Criteria based on process selection criteria based on environment.

CLASS 1

Manual welding techniques with small amounts of spatter and droplets, e.g.:

• Gas welding
• TIG welding
• MIG welding
• Micro plasma welding-
• Soldering
• Spot welding
• MMA welding (with a rutile electrode)

Operating machines e.g.:

• Oxygen cutting machines
• Plasma cutting machines
• Resistance pressure welding machines
• Thermal spraying machines
• Welding tables

CLASS 2

Manual welding techniques with large amounts of spatter and droplets, e.g.:

• MMA welding (using alkaline or cellulose electrodes)
• MAG welding (with CO2 or mixed gasses)
• MIG welding (high-voltage)
• Self-shielded, Flux-cored arc welding
• Plasma cutting- Oxygen cutting

Thermal sprayingOperating machines e.g.:

• In enclosed spaces
• When welding/cutting operations require reaching above head height
• In comparable difficult positions

Textile requirements

Requirements for mechanical strength, flame and heat resistance are divided into two classes:

Class 1:

For less dangerous techniques and situations that cause lower amounts of droplets and radiant heat. Suitable for manual welding techniques with less spatter and fewer droplets, e.g. gas welding, TIG welding, MIG welding, micro plasma welding, soldering, spot welding and MMA welding. The textile must be capable of withstanding at least 15 droplets of molten metal without exceeding an increase in the temperature of 40 °C on the back of the textile.

Class 2:

For more hazardous welding techniques and situations that cause larger amounts of droplets and radiant heat. Suitable for manual welding techniques with a greater formation of spatter and droplets, e.g. MMA welding (with alkaline or cellulose electrodes), MAG welding (with CO2 or mixed gasses), MIG welding (high-voltage). The textile must be capable of withstanding at least 25 droplets of molten metal without exceeding an increase in the temperature of 40 °C on the back of the textile.

INFORMATION ON THE HAZARDS OF UV RADIATION

During arc welding, there is a risk of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The textiles in the garment will wear with use, such that protection is reduced. Therefore, check the garment regularly to avoid exposure to UV radiation. An easy way to check that the garment is still protecting against UV radiation is to hold the garment at an arm’s length away from the light of a 100 W light bulb (distance from the light source should be about 1 m).If light penetrates the textile, UV rays will also penetrate the textile. Garments should be checked weekly.If the wearer experiences symptoms similar to sunburn, this means that UVB rays are passing through the garment. If the garment is being penetrated by UV rays, the garment should be repaired (if possible) or replaced and additional, more protective layers should be considered for future use.