Final answer:
Coveralls are the PPE item that protect a welder's entire upper body, providing extensive protection from the heat, sparks, and radiation produced by welding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) item that protects a welder's entire upper body is coveralls. While helmets and gloves protect specific parts of the body such as the head and hands from the electric arc, coveralls provide coverage for the majority of a welder's body. Welding exposes workers to hazardous conditions such as extreme heat, sparks, and harmful radiation, necessitating the use of comprehensive protective clothing.
Gloves and Helmets
Welder's gloves and helmets are essential PPE that shield a welder from the intense thermal energy of the electric arc, which is capable of melting metal, generating sparks, and producing high-energy electromagnetic radiation. These items are crucial for protecting the hands and eyes, as the light and heat from welding can cause severe burns and retinal damage.
Protective Coveralls
Coveralls are designed to cover the upper body completely, providing extensive protection against the occupational hazards of welding. This includes the thermal energy that can be felt several meters away and the light from the welding arc visible for kilometers. In addition to welding, coveralls are commonly used in other hazardous environments, such as those with radioactive materials, toxic chemicals like chlorine, and infectious zones, demonstrating their importance in various fields requiring PPE for safety.