Over the past few years many of us have gotten tired of the refuge of our homes, a place we once looked forward to going back to after a long day. With a large majority of working Canadians continuing to work from home, feelings of exhaustion are no longer quelled by the comfort of our homes, as our homes have become our new workplaces. For a lot of people, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to unwind and relax after their workday, causing perpetual feelings of tiredness and burnout. So, with working from home becoming the new normal, how can we combat all these negative effects?

We can start with how we are working from home and make a few simple changes to create an atmosphere where work and homelife remain separate. Dedicate a space free from distractions, in a quiet area of the house (or invest in earplugs / listen to ambient music through noise-cancelling headphones if you’re unable to find a quite space). Try to work in an area of the house that is not commonly used, or an area set up like a workspace – such as a home office or dining table. When designing your workspace, be mindful of how you organize things and choose furniture that will make working easier. For example, opt for a Sit-Stand Desk versus a regular desk, and work in intervals of sitting and standing, or if you prefer to sit go for an ergonomic option in order to properly support your back and encourage good posture. Even small changes, like keeping the underneath of your desk neat and tidy by using Cable Clips and/or a CPU holder can make your space less cluttered and allow yourself to focus on more important things. By doing this you are setting up spaces that are separate from the “home” or relaxing areas within your house, creating boundaries that make it easier to switch from a work environment and mindset to a more relaxed mindset. While you are working try to refrain from entering your ”home” spaces. If you feel the need to take a break, opt to stretch your legs and go for a quick walk around the block, or grab a snack and bring it back to your workspace. The idea is to only allow yourself to conduct tasks you would be able to do within an office environment, to foster an environment in which is it easy to work.

Once the workday is done, remove yourself from the “work” environment and return to the “home” environment. Because your work and home environments have been separated in every way, you will be able to still feel the switch from work-mode to relax-mode. Another thing you could try is to ‘reset’ yourself after work somehow – have a ritual to indicate that the workday is complete and home time has begun. This could range from taking a shower/bath, getting some fresh air by going for a bike ride, or getting a quick workout in. You could also engage in a fun and creative activity to unwind, such as creating a sculpture from modeling clay or coloring a page of a coloring book. The key is consistency – once you have a ritual or two in place make sure to complete them every workday, and soon you will begin to feel the benefits.

We understand that many people do not have the luxury of creating a separate space to work in, but by engaging in after work rituals the transition between working and relaxing becomes much easier over time. It can be frustrating to feel like you no longer have a place free of work distractions, but by following the suggestions outlined above you can keep the two separate and still enjoy the comfort of your home.

Sit-stand desks are all the rage these days, but do you know why?

Scientific studies have shown that our modern sedentary lives are killing us. We’re sitting now more than ever and this is increasing our risk for obesity, heart disease, dementia, diabetes and even early death.

So how can you remedy this situation? By continuing to make healthy food choices and partake in daily activity, while also introducing more standing into your life. Why sit all day at an uncomfortable desk when you can stand?

Having the option of standing at your desk can benefit your life in so many ways, including:
• Reduction of back pain
One study of 23 office workers who alternated between sitting at their desks and standing found that there was a 31.8% reduction in back pain. We could all use a little less back pain in our lives.

• Increased comfort
By using ergonomic furniture, you get more support in places like your back, wrists and neck and therefore have less stress on your joints.

• Increase in energy levels
In one controlled study, 87% of people who stood during their work days reported increased energy. This may be due to their increase in mood, as it has been shown that sitting for long periods of time has been linked to depression and anxiety.

• Lowered risk of weight gain + obesity
Simply choosing to stand instead of sitting burns more calories than just sitting. Why not have the option of making healthier choices?

• Increased creativity
Increased blood flow means more creativity. More creativity means a more productive work day!

• Improved mood
Of course if your body is feeling good, your mood is going to be better!

Of course, many of these benefits are optimized by including an anti-fatigue mat into the mix. With that in tow, who knows where the limits are to your health?

Anyone working in the fabrication or construction industry knows the challenges of dealing with air quality onsite. The air we breathe is never 100% clean. We’re always picking up trace elements of environmental substances as we move and breathe, however once air contamination passes a specific threshold it is recommended (and even mandatory in the workplace) to use some form of air filtration device.

When your job involves dealing with poor air quality or particle-filled air, it doesn’t mean you need to be inhaling said contaminated air. It means wearing the right equipment to keep yourself safe and healthy. 

Most safety training will discuss air quality, respirators, and lung protection. Nevertheless, it is always helpful to revisit air-quality safety and reevaluate the workplace to ensure proper precaution and protection.

One particularly challenging workplace task is welding in an environment of poor-quality air. Such environments require relevant welding PPE, with the addition of proper air filtration equipment.

The combination of a welding helmet with respirator requires equipment specifically designed to work in tandem; a respirator alongside a helmet.

Here are some options for protection against contaminated air while welding.

• Helmet and Disposable Particulate Respirator

The combination of the welding helmet with a basic disposable particulate respirator is the most common. Disposable respirators are what you generally see around a workplace where only specific tasks at specific times require air filtration. These products are made to use once or maybe twice before being thrown away (always consult the manufacturer’s instructions).

Disposable respirators (non-disposable will also meet this classification) generally bear the designation “N95”. That is, they meet health and safety standards for most workplace scenarios and filter out 95% of airborne particles. N95 respirators are the most common form of respirator since they provide adequate protection for most tasks.

A welding helmet combined with a disposable N95 respirator will provide adequate protection for most tasks encountered in the workplace, but the combination also has certain limitations and downsides.

Pros

• General Application–setup will work for most workplace situations.
• Cost Effective–disposable N95 respirators are low cost, provided they are used infrequently.
• Ideal for a large workforce with infrequent use–where other welding/air filtration combinations require more upfront cost, the disposable option offers adaptability. One worker needs a mast for a specific task one day, and another worker needs a mask for some other job the next. Disposable masks mean that each worker can have adequate protection against air contamination when they need it at a low cost.
• Adaptability–disposable N95s will fit comfortably under most welding helmets, making them a simple add-on for relevant tasks.

Cons

• Disposable–products break down fast. While acceptable for a single task over several hours or even a single day use, disposable respirators are not designed to maintain their integrity over time with regular use. It is recommended that used masks are discarded and new ones used if a task will take more than a single day..
• Saturation––in heavily contaminated environments with elements such as dust, masks quickly become saturated and require frequent replacement.
• Uncomfortable–Disposable N95s can be uncomfortable over several hours of use. Since they are usually held in place by elastic bands around the ears, they can become painful or irritating for the wearer after hours of use.

Bottom Line

The disposable N95 respirator combined with a welding helmet is a good temporary solution. It is ideal for situations where air quality is only infrequently a factor in the workplace. If air filtration is regularly required while welding a more permanent solution might be in order.

• Helmet and Non-Disposable Respirator Combination

The combination of a welding helmet with a non-disposable respirator is the second option. The helmet-non-disposable mask combination would provide adequate protection for any general-purpose situation, but is also customizable for situations that require more rigorous protection.

This combination can, however, become more complex since the user must be careful to choose a respirator that fits comfortably below the welding helmet. Generally speaking, non-disposable respirators will be more rigid than disposable ones. Rigidity allows them to have  longer lifespans but can limit their use for welding purposes. So, should you opt for this combination, be sure to choose a respirator that fits comfortably under your helmet.

That said here are the relative pros and cons of this particular setup;

Pros

• Durable–the helmet-non-disposable respirator setup is ideal for scenarios where the individual regularly requires a respirator. Since reusable respirators are built for regular and repeated use they are more durable and in the long term are more cost-effective than disposable respirators.
• Customizable–most reusable respirators can be customized to the task. Usually, this means the use of different filter pads adapted to the specific air contaminant encountered. Some reusable respirators also provide the option for protection against gaseous contamination.
• Comfortable–reusable respirators are designed and built for regular and repeated use. Rather than simply looping behind the ears, reusable respirators generally attach behind the head for a comfortable and secure fit that does not grow painful over time.

Cons

• High Upfront Investment–reusable respirators wear a higher price tag than disposable options. This is why they are more suited for situations where workers will regularly encounter contaminated air. Combined with a welding helmet the price can mount fast.
• Individual–a box of disposable respirators will serve a large workforce on an as-needed basis. A reusable respirator will serve an individual well and last long.
• Rigidity–while it can be a feature for durability, rigidity can also become a bug when the respirator needs to adapt to specific helmet types. Again, be sure that your welding helmet is compatible with the reusable respirator you purchase.

Bottom Line

Reusable respirators are highly customizable which enables them to serve in situations where prediction is provided beyond the N95 classification. Properly combined with a welding helmet they are more comfortable in the long term. Over a long enough period, they are also more cost-effective, provided of course the same individual is working on the same task.

• Single Unit Helmet and Respirator

The final option is the welding helmet with a built-in respirator. These units are specifically designed and manufactured for scenarios where welding is required in contaminated environments. They bring all the benefits of specific design from comfort to functionality. They are customizable through the use of different filters. They are also highly durable.

For those who regularly work with contaminated air, these units are the best option. For those who require air filtration only sporadically, another option might make more sense.

Pros

• Specific Design–Helmets that contain respirators are simply the best option for welding in contaminated environments. They fit comfortably, are built for longevity, and provide flexibility and view alongside super protection. Because they are designed together, as a unit, there is no need to worry about the respirator working with the helmet.
• Quality–most helmet-respirator units boast high quality. They will last longer than the other options on this list and do their job well.
• All-Round Protection–built-in respirator helmets provide adequate protection for nearly any situation that might be encountered. With filter options for both particles and gas, they can be customized for all welding environments.

Cons

• Specificity–a helmet with a built-in respirator is a specific product. Most welding tasks will not require such rigorous protection.
• Price Tag–these units generally cost more. That’s why they’re a good option for those who regularly require a helmet/mask combination.

Bottom Line

Built-in respirator helmets are built exactly for welding in air-contaminated environments. They are ideal for those whose jobs often require such protection. The adage “the right tool for the right job” is appropriately applied to these units. For some jobs, they’re exactly what you need.

Final Comment

Welders working in contaminated-air environments must wear some form of air filtration device. The choice of device depends ultimately on the environment and the specific situation. For one-time use, a disposable respirator can be combined with your welding helmet for a simple and cheap solution. If, however, regular use of a respirator is required a more permanent option might be more appropriate.

Regular-use options range in price comfort and functionality. A cheaper option is the purchase of a respirator to fit under your helmet. A pricey but probably more comfortable and secure option is the welding helmet with a built-in respirator.

Whatever your choice, always put safety first and above all ensure that your combination meets at least the minimum filtration and protection requirement.