Electric Shock can kill ARC Rays can burn

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SAFETY

ELECTRIC SHOCK can kill.

ARC RAYS can burn.

3.a. The electrode and work (or ground) circuits

4.a. Use a shield with the proper filter and cover

are electrically “hot” when the welder is on.

plates to protect your eyes from sparks and

Do not touch these “hot” parts with your bare

the rays of the arc when welding or observing

skin or wet clothing. Wear dry, hole-free

open arc welding. Headshield and filter lens

gloves to insulate hands.

should conform to ANSI Z87. I standards.

3.b. Insulate yourself from work and ground using dry insulation.

4.b. Use suitable clothing made from durable flame-resistant

Make certain the insulation is large enough to cover your full

material to protect your skin and that of your helpers from

area of physical contact with work and ground.

the arc rays.

In addition to the normal safety precautions, if welding

4.c. Protect other nearby personnel with suitable, non-flammable

must be performed under electrically hazardous

screening and/or warn them not to watch the arc nor expose

conditions (in damp locations or while wearing wet

themselves to the arc rays or to hot spatter or metal.

clothing; on metal structures such as floors, gratings or

FUMES AND GASES

accidental contact with the workpiece or ground) use

scaffolds; when in cramped positions such as sitting,

kneeling or lying, if there is a high risk of unavoidable or

can be dangerous.

the following equipment:

gases

• Semiautomatic DC Constant Voltage (Wire) Welder.

5.a. Welding

may

produce

fumes and

• DC Manual (Stick) Welder.

hazardous to health. Avoid breathing these

• AC Welder with Reduced Voltage Control.

fumes and gases.When welding, keep

your head out of the fume. Use enough

3.c. In semiautomatic or automatic wire welding, the electrode,

ventilation and/or exhaust at the arc to keep

electrode

reel, welding head, nozzle or

semiautomatic

fumes and gases away from the breathing zone.

When

welding gun are also electrically “hot”.

welding with electrodes which require special

good electrical

ventilation such as stainless or hard facing (see

3.d. Always be

sure the work cable makes a

instructions on container or MSDS) or on lead or

connection

with the metal being welded. The connection

cadmium plated steel and other metals or coatings

should be as close as possible to the area being welded.

which produce highly toxic fumes, keep exposure as

low as possible and below Threshold Limit Values (TLV)

3.e. Ground the work or metal to be welded to a good electrical

using local exhaust or mechanical ventilation. In

(earth) ground.

confined spaces or in some circumstances, outdoors, a

3.f.

respirator may be required. Additional precautions are

Maintain the electrode holder, work clamp, welding cable and

also

required

when

welding on

galvanized

steel.

welding machine in good, safe operating condition. Replace

5. b. The operation of welding fume control equipment is affected

damaged insulation.

by various factors including proper use and positioning of the

3.g. Never dip the electrode in water for cooling.

equipment, maintenance of the equipment and the specific

“hot” parts of

welding procedure and application involved.

Worker expo-

3.h. Never simultaneously touch electrically

sure level should be checked upon installation and periodi-

electrode holders connected to two welders because voltage

cally thereafter to be certain it is within applicable OSHA PEL

between the two can be the total of the open circuit voltage

and ACGIH TLV limits.

of both welders.

5.c. Do not weld in locations near chlorinated hydrocarbon vapors

3.i.

When working above floor level, use a safety belt to protect

coming from degreasing, cleaning or spraying operations.

The heat and rays of the arc can react with solvent vapors to

3.j.

yourself from a fall should you get a shock.

form phosgene, a highly toxic gas, and other irritating prod-

Also see Items 6.c. and 8.

ucts.

5.d. Shielding gases used for arc welding can displace air and

cause injury or death. Always use enough ventilation,

especially in confined areas, to insure breathing air is safe.

5.e. Read and understand the manufacturerʼs instructions for this

equipment and the consumables to be used, including the

material safety data sheet (MSDS) and follow your

employerʼs safety practices. MSDS forms are available from

your

welding

distributor or

from

the

manufacturer.

5.f. Also see item 1.b.

Aug ʻ06