--- title: Respiratory protection for welding url: "https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/respiratory-protection-applications/respiratory-protection-for-welding" description: Choose the right breathing protection for work in welding date: 2024-05-21 modified: 2025-06-30 locale: en_GB --- # Respiratory protection for welding ![Suitable respirator mask for welding work](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/zndoK6uwcOxvh2xb3ZOJsXrHM_Pleiq7RYuY2y7zppI/w:375/h:107/fn:Y3NtX1NjaHdlaXNzZXJhcmJlaXRlbl9BbHVtaW5pdW1fRWRlbHN0YWhsXzA4MGQ4NDgwNTA:t/cb:8ef2ada074c0e98fb5f3403df1b08b33b6641c11/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9TY2h3ZWlzc2VyYXJiZWl0ZW5fQWx1bWluaXVtX0VkZWxzdGFobC5qcGc_MTcxNjI5NTI0OQ) Respiratory protection for work in welding ============================================ The following includes further information for choosing the right breathing protection for work in welding. The suggestion made here is only a general recommendation. For a detailed analysis and selection of the correct mask, please refer to our selection guide: [Correct selection](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/choice-of-respirator/) Please do not hesitate to contact your relevant professional association should you have any queries or questions. Welding aluminium and stainless steel --------------------------------------- Welding of metals such as stainless steel and aluminium releases a combination of hazardous materials in a metal and aluminium oxide smoke. As with all other high-alloy steels, a **[protection class FFP3](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/ffp3-masks)** respirator should be worn for adequate protection against these metals. A respirator with **carbon** should be worn to protect against ozone gas that is released by welding (protection against gases and vapour under occupational exposure limits \[OEL\]). You can find product suggestions for this purpose below. Please ensure all appropriate and requisite personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, as offered by uvex. ![Suitable breathing mask for welding work with aluminum and stainless steel](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/VK2bh13x7mpiUDoWcoGiObFua5a3sro9luDp1LAyV40/w:345/h:99/fn:Y3NtX1NjaHdlaXNzZXJhcmJlaXRlbl9BbHVtaW5pdW1fRWRlbHN0YWhsX2RkZWIwYzdmMjk:t/cb:8ef2ada074c0e98fb5f3403df1b08b33b6641c11/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9TY2h3ZWlzc2VyYXJiZWl0ZW5fQWx1bWluaXVtX0VkZWxzdGFobC5qcGc_MTcxNjI5NTI0OQ) Brazing --------- Many different hazardous materials are released during brazing. As with all other high-alloy steels, a **[protection class FFP3](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/ffp3-masks)** respirator should be worn for protection when working with metals such as copper and zinc. A respirator with **carbon** should be worn to protect against ozone gas that is released by welding (protection against gases and vapour under occupational exposure limits \[OEL\]). You can find product suggestions for this purpose below. Please ensure all appropriate and requisite personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn, as offered by uvex. ![Suitable breathing mask for welding and brazing work](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/7VN8WyWYTf9mPozvyQL6IN8wijX2adrCgeY7x_aeo8Y/w:345/h:98/fn:Y3NtX1NjaHdlaXNzZXJhcmJlaXRlbl9IYXJ0bG9ldGVuX2RmZDYyOTMxYWQ:t/cb:5fc082e867dc496d5df5ea4425c9456c2b65db97/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9TY2h3ZWlzc2VyYXJiZWl0ZW5fSGFydGxvZXRlbi5qcGc_MTcxNjI5NTI0OQ) Still haven't found the right one for you? -------------------------------------------- Find out more about uvex respiratory protection. ### Buy uvex respiratory protection [ ![uvex respiratory protection](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/zkVWMSxCcl7CsZGP77kGgMWmV9d-5pZ0jJie0JKTL9M/w:345/h:345/fn:Y3NtX3V2ZXgtYXRlbXNjaHV0em1hc2tlbi1zb3J0aW1lbnRfNGQ2ZDk2ZjFhMA:t/cb:f33467aeae540ae90aeeb3d302121feed87404d5/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vQXRlbXNjaHV0ei91dmV4LWF0ZW1zY2h1dHptYXNrZW4tc29ydGltZW50LmpwZz8xNzcxMjQwNTU4) ](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/products/respiratory-protection) [To our products](https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/products/respiratory-protection) ### Respiratory protection guide [ ![Download uvex respiratory protection guide](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/-RN886LeSQFojDmrXOsqNisEqVLJAk1Cs9aLBv8YgpQ/w:345/h:345/fn:Y3NtX3V2ZXgtYXRlbXNjaHV0ei1ndWlkZS1oZXJ1bnRlcmxhZGVuXzUzZDcxZmM0Mjc:t/cb:948e1dfcd16f9a173b1bb57489791ef238463c37/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vQXRlbXNjaHV0ei91dmV4LWF0ZW1zY2h1dHotZ3VpZGUtaGVydW50ZXJsYWRlbi5qcGc_MTc3MTI0MTYyMA) ](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/fileadmin/www.uvex-safety.com/Media/catalogues_and_brochures/en/uvex_respiratory_protection_guide_PPE_EN.pdf) [Download (PDF)](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/fileadmin/www.uvex-safety.com/Media/catalogues_and_brochures/en/uvex_respiratory_protection_guide_PPE_EN.pdf?1639493851) ### Respiratory protection: Questions and answers [ ![frequently asked questions about respiratory masks](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/KJP5iacTiwC2LTJXse7fQvqwkM2CzcaTltJaMVjo64U/w:345/h:345/fn:Y3NtX2F0ZW1zY2h1dHptYXNrZW4tZnJhZ2VuLWFudHdvcnRlbi1ibG9nXzczYTczNGUwYjk:t/cb:3fe6ccc4391f93aa009c8649dd85b803f07c4456/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vQXRlbXNjaHV0ei9hdGVtc2NodXR6bWFza2VuLWZyYWdlbi1hbnR3b3J0ZW4tYmxvZy5qcGc_MTc3MTgzODQzNA) ](https://www.uvex-safety.com/blog/questions-and-answers-of-respiratory-protection/) [To our x-pertblog](https://www.uvex-safety.com/blog/questions-and-answers-of-respiratory-protection/) ### How do repirators actually work? [ ![uvex safety how do respirators work](https://d3rbxgeqn1ye9j.cloudfront.net/images/DV2VTUtVa1zXxQ4Pp_hW4qEjzflJwBYRoK1wHkARnWw/w:345/h:345/fn:Y3NtX25hY2hoYWx0aWdlX0F0ZW1zY2h1dHptYXNrZV9zaWx2LUFpcl9wbGFuZXRfR3JhZmZpdGlfZDE4NzAzNjY5OA:t/cb:3e271daeadb7fd3a5d6efc84563db1ed70f0ed28/el:1/fq:jpeg:85:avif:70:webp:80/c:504:504:fp:0.6275:0.43373493975904/rt:force/aHR0cHM6Ly9kM3JieGdlcW4xeWU5ai5jbG91ZGZyb250Lm5ldC9maWxlYWRtaW4vd3d3LnV2ZXgtc2FmZXR5LmNvbS9GaWx0ZXJzZWl0ZW4vVVJFUy9BY3Rpb25iaWxkZXIvbmFjaGhhbHRpZ2VfQXRlbXNjaHV0em1hc2tlX3NpbHYtQWlyX3BsYW5ldF9HcmFmZml0aS5qcGc_MTcyMTA0NzgyMA) ](https://www.uvex-safety.com/blog/how-do-respirators-actually-work/) [To our x-pertblog](https://www.uvex-safety.com/blog/how-do-respirators-actually-work/)