Welding Clothing: What a Welder Should Wear According to EN ISO 11611

Welding clothing is not just workwear with some flame-retardant treatment: it is PPE designed and tested to withstand splashes of molten metal, sparks and radiant heat, and for that reason it must be certified to the EN ISO 11611 standard. An ordinary cotton boiler suit or a synthetic garment can catch fire, melt onto the skin or let through spatter that a certified garment would stop.

In this guide we explain what clothing is recommended for welding, what class 1 and class 2 mean, what a well-designed garment should have and what other equipment completes the protection. And if you already know what you are looking for, you can go straight to our flame-retardant clothing for welders category and choose your kit.

View flame-retardant clothing for welders

WHAT CLOTHING IS RECOMMENDED FOR WELDING? THE SHORT ANSWER

For welding, clothing that meets the following points is recommended:

• Certified to EN ISO 11611, with its class (1 or 2) shown on the label. (We explain the standard in more detail in the next section)
• Flame-retardant fabric or treated natural fibre, never synthetic garments that melt with heat.
• Full body coverage: a jacket or boiler suit with a closed collar, long sleeves and trousers that cover the boots.
• A design with no areas where molten metal can build up: no open pockets and no turn-ups on the trousers.
• Clean and free of grease or solvent residues, which reduce protection against flame.

The rest of the guide goes through each point so that you can choose with confidence.

TECHNICAL EXPLANATION: THE EN ISO 11611 STANDARD

What it covers

EN ISO 11611 sets out the requirements for protective clothing for welding and allied processes. It is applied alongside the general standard for protective clothing requirements (EN ISO 13688), and it is the reference that must appear in the marking of any garment intended for use by welders.

Class 1 and Class 2

The standard distinguishes two classes according to the level of protection required:

• Class 1: protects in techniques and situations of lower risk, with less molten metal spatter and less radiant heat.
• Class 2: protects in techniques and situations of greater danger, with more spatter and more radiant heat.

If a garment combines parts of both classes, it is classified in the lower one. So, if you work in demanding conditions, check that the whole garment – not just the main fabric – is class 2.

Indices A1 and A2

Garments may be marked with index A1 (limited flame spread by surface ignition) or A1+A2 (surface and edge). This is worth checking in the manufacturer's data sheet.

What the garment does NOT cover

Welding protection has limits that are worth knowing:

• It protects only against brief, accidental contact with welding circuits of up to about 100 V direct current. If there is a greater risk of electric shock, additional electrical insulation is needed.
• A garment contaminated with flammable material (grease, oil, solvents) loses its protection against flame.
• In confined spaces, the increase in oxygen in the air greatly reduces protection.
• If the garment is damp, dirty or soaked in sweat, its electrical insulation is reduced.
• If you notice symptoms similar to sunburn under the garment, UV radiation is getting through it: it must be repaired or replaced.

WHAT CLOTHING DO YOU NEED? FIND IT ACCORDING TO YOUR WORK

The right class depends on the process and the conditions of the workstation. As a usual guide (always confirm with the manufacturer's data sheet and your health and safety department):

If you are unsure between the two, class 2 is the safe option: it protects across the whole range. To equip yourself without mistakes, see our flame-retardant clothing for welders and filter by the type of garment you need.

HOW A GOOD WELDER'S GARMENT SHOULD BE DESIGNED

The fabric is not enough: the design protects too.

• Overlapping jacket and trousers: the jacket must be long enough to cover the waist of the trousers, avoiding gaps through which spatter could get in.
• Protected folds and pockets: folds can trap molten metal, which is why pockets with flaps and trousers without turn-ups are recommended.
• Closed collar: a high or closed collar stops sparks reaching the skin.
• Trousers worn over the boot: this way a spark does not fall inside the footwear.
• Additional garments depending on the job: apron, sleeves, gaiters or hood for overhead welding or heavy spatter.

Underneath the protective garment, wear underwear made of cotton or another natural fibre. Synthetic fibres can melt and stick to the skin if they heat up.

BEYOND CLOTHING: THE WELDER'S COMPLETE KIT

Clothing certified to EN ISO 11611 protects the body, but it does not cover the head, face, hands or feet, which require their own PPE:

• Head and face: a welding helmet or glasses with the right filter. If you are unsure which to choose, we explain it in our guide Which glasses should you use for welding?. You can see certified face protection products in the welding helmets and screens category.
• Hands: specific welder's gloves, certified for this use. Visit our Welding gloves category to see all the models available.
• Feet: safety boots and shoes for welders with a toe cap and heat-resistant sole, ideally with instep protection.
• Additional body protection: aprons and gaiters for overhead welding or heavy spatter.

DO YOU NEED HELP KITTING OUT YOUR TEAM?

If you are equipping several welders or need advice on choosing between class 1 and class 2, our team can guide you according to your welding process.

Contact us and we will help you choose (or email us at: info@sekureco.eu)

WHEN AND IN WHICH INDUSTRIES IS FLAME-RETARDANT CLOTHING USED?

• Welding workshops and boiler-making: daily use in manual or semi-automatic welding processes.
• Construction and metal structures: on-site welding, often in awkward positions.
• Industrial maintenance: repairs involving welding and oxy-fuel cutting.
• Shipyards and naval: work with heavy spatter and confined spaces.
• Any thermal cutting work: oxy-fuel cutting and plasma produce spatter similar to that of welding.

CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES AVAILABLE AT SEKURECO

In our Flame-retardant clothing for welders category you will find:

• Welder's jackets REF 20100 certified to EN ISO 11611, with a closed collar and flaps on the pockets.
• Welder's trousers REF B1494 without turn-ups, to be worn over the boot.
• Welder's boiler suits and overalls REF 141, for full coverage in a single piece.
• Aprons, sleeves and gaiters for additional protection in work with heavy spatter.

Check availability and sizes for each garment in the category.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Which standard must welder's clothing meet?

EN ISO 11611, which governs protective clothing for welding and allied processes. It must appear on the label together with the class (1 or 2).

What is the difference between class 1 and class 2?

Class 1 protects in lower-risk situations (less spatter and less radiant heat) and class 2 in more demanding ones. If a garment mixes parts of both classes, it is classified in the lower one.

Can I weld in ordinary cotton clothing?

It is not advisable. Cotton without a flame-retardant treatment can catch fire from spatter; clothing certified to EN ISO 11611 is tested specifically for welding.

Is any flame-retardant clothing suitable for welding?

No. A generic flame-retardant garment does not necessarily meet the molten metal spatter requirements of EN ISO 11611. Always check that this standard appears on the label.

How should I look after welder's clothing?

Follow the manufacturer's washing instructions and observe the maximum number of cycles stated. Avoid contaminating the garment with grease or solvents, as they reduce its protection against flame.

What underwear should I wear underneath?

Cotton or another natural fibre. Synthetic fibres can melt and stick to the skin if they heat up.

KIT YOURSELF OUT WITH CERTIFIED WELDER'S CLOTHING

Welder's clothing is an investment in safety that pays for itself every working day. At Sekureco.eu you will find garments certified to EN ISO 11611 in class 1 and 2, as well as helmets, glasses, gloves and footwear to complete the kit.

Browse all our flame-retardant clothing for welders and choose the class your process requires.