Leather Welding Hoods and Welding Curtains: Protecting the Welder’s Neck and Nearby Workers

A rigid helmet isn’t the only way to protect a welder’s head and face — and protecting the welder isn’t the only PPE consideration in a welding bay. Two products close out our welding PPE series: a soft leather hood for confined and overhead work, and a curtain that protects everyone standing nearby.

In short: our leather welder’s hood is a supple cowhide split-leather hood covering the face and neck, with flip-up dark and clear lenses — an alternative to a rigid helmet for confined-space or overhead welding where a hard shell is awkward. Our PVC welding curtain isn’t worn at all — it’s a flame-retardant, semi-translucent screen that shields nearby workers and passersby from arc flash and UV without blocking the welder’s own light entirely.

Leather welder’s hood: soft protection for awkward positions

Our Leather Welder’s Hood with Dark Welding Glass (1001-2031) is a supple cowhide split-leather hood providing face and neck protection, equipped with flip-up rectangular dark and clear lenses. Unlike a rigid helmet, it conforms to the shape of the head and neck rather than sitting on a hard shell — a genuine advantage in confined spaces or overhead positions where a rigid helmet’s bulk or headgear catches on surroundings.

Neck coverage a standard helmet doesn’t have

A rigid welding helmet protects the face but typically leaves the neck exposed below the jawline. The leather hood extends coverage down over the neck, which matters for overhead welding in particular, where sparks fall downward onto exactly that area.

PVC welding curtain: protecting people who aren’t welding

Our PVC Welding Curtain (1005-22918) is a semi-translucent, flame-retardant PVC curtain measuring 1.8m x 1.2m, with eyelets on one side for rail hanging. It’s suitable for all welding applications where low visibility to nearby workers is required — meaning it screens arc flash and UV exposure from anyone working or walking near the welding bay, without needing to fully enclose the space in an opaque barrier.

Why this matters beyond the welder’s own PPE

Arc flash and UV exposure aren’t limited to the person holding the torch — anyone within line of sight of an unscreened arc can be affected. A welding curtain is a workspace control, not personal protective equipment, but it’s part of the same overall welding safety picture: protecting the welder with a helmet and leathers, and protecting everyone else with a physical screen.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the advantage of a leather hood over a rigid welding helmet?

It conforms to the head and neck rather than sitting on a hard shell, which helps in confined spaces or overhead positions, and it extends protection down over the neck, an area a standard helmet often leaves exposed.

What size is the PVC welding curtain?

1.8m x 1.2m, with eyelets on one side for rail hanging.

Does the welding curtain protect the welder, or other people?

It’s a workspace screen that protects nearby workers and passersby from arc flash and UV exposure — it’s not personal protective equipment for the welder themselves.

Is the welding curtain fully opaque?

No — it’s semi-translucent, allowing low visibility through it for supervision or awareness while still screening arc radiation.

This completes our Welding-Specific PPE series. See our guides to welding helmet types, auto-darkening helmets explained, welding shields and goggles, welding glass and spare lenses and full-body leather welding protection.

Browse our full welding apparel range in stock now, or get in touch to talk through what your welding bay needs.