Messer announces helmet drawing winner

(From left) Messer Canada’s Metal Fabrication Segment Manager Ash Khan presents Asif Ladha with his new welding helmet at the company’s Whitby, Ont., branch.

Messer Canada recently held a drawing for a unique hand-painted ClearVIEW OHE550D digital welding helmet and the winner was Asif Ladha, a trainer at Toronto Water (City of Toronto). Ladha has been with Toronto Water for 41 years and retired from his position shortly after receiving the helmet.

“I started working for the city in Parks & Recreation as a lifeguard,” said Ladha. “After graduating from university, I was hired in the water treatment area. Early in my career I specialized in water treatment training, but in 2005 I became a Red Seal Millwright and thereafter expanded my training to do more mechanical training as well.”

Ladha always liked to get his hands dirty and support the team in the shop.

“Although I had an office and didn’t do a lot of hands-on work on the job myself, my office was right next to the shop, and the team always knew that if an extra pair of hands was necessary, I’d be there,” he said.

In his retirement, Ladha hopes to continue offering a helping hand by teaching part time through the college system, supporting the next generation of millwrights and water treatment specialists.

“At one point, I was the person who needed to be trained to do what I do,” he said. “If I can help the next generation in their education journey, I want to do all I can.”

Ladha looks forward to using his new helmet as well. The newly designed helmet is equipped with an improved digital autodarkening filter (ADF) suitable for most welding applications.

The welding helmet is the latest addition under the ClearView brand, which includes an ADF with external grind function. This allows the operator to use the helmet for various welding applications including pre- and post-welding applications. By pressing the external grind button, the ADF will allow the user to use the helmet for deburring or grinding operations.

“Welding helmet technology has come a long way since I first wore one,” he noted. “Helmets like this one are so much lighter, and it’s so much easier to be able to work without constantly flipping the helmet up and down. Thanks to Messer for the nice surprise!”