Safety

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ii				SAFETY				ii

		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.				4.a. Use a shield with the proper filter and cover
						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.
	conditions (in damp locations or while wearing wet
	clothing; on metal structures such as floors, gratings or
	clothing; on metal structures such as floors, gratings or
	scaffolds; when in cramped positions such as sitting,
	scaffolds; when in cramped positions such as sitting,					FUMES AND GASES
	kneeling or lying, if there is a high risk of unavoidable or					FUMES AND GASES
	accidental contact with the workpiece or ground) use					can be dangerous.
	the following equipment:					can be dangerous.
	• Semiautomatic DC Constant Voltage (Wire) Welder.					5.a. Welding may	produce	fumes and gases
	• DC Manual (Stick) Welder.					hazardous to health. Avoid breathing these
	• 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
						ventilation such as stainless or hard facing (see
3.d. Always		be sure the work cable makes a good electrical				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 within applicable OSHA PEL and
3.e. Ground the work or metal to be welded to a good electrical						ACGIH TLV limits using local exhaust or mechanical ven-
	(earth) ground.					tilation. In confined spaces or in some circumstances,
						outdoors, a respirator may be required. Additional pre-
3.f.	Maintain the electrode holder, work clamp, welding cable and					cautions are also required when welding on galvanized
	welding machine in good, safe operating condition. Replace					steel.
	damaged insulation.				5. b. The operation of welding fume control equipment is affected

3.g. Never dip the electrode in water for cooling.						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
						equipment, maintenance of the equipment and the specific
3.h. Never		simultaneously	touch	electrically “hot” parts of		welding procedure and application involved. Worker expo-
3.h. Never		simultaneously	touch	electrically “hot” parts of		sure level should be checked upon installation and periodi-
	electrode holders connected to two welders because voltage					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.					and ACGIH TLV limits.
	of both welders.
3.i.	When working above floor level, use a safety belt to protect				5.c. Do not weld in locations near chlorinated hydrocarbon vapors
3.i.						coming from degreasing, cleaning or spraying operations.
	yourself from a fall should you get a shock.					coming from degreasing, cleaning or spraying operations.
	yourself from a fall should you get a shock.					The heat and rays of the arc can react with solvent vapors to

3.j.	Also see Items 6.c. and 8.					form phosgene, a highly toxic gas, and other irritating prod-
3.j.	Also see Items 6.c. and 8.					ucts.
						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 manufacturer’s instructions for this
						equipment and the consumables to be used, including the
						material safety data sheet (MSDS) and follow your
						employer’s safety practices. MSDS forms are available from
						your welding distributor or	from	the manufacturer.
					5.f. Also see item 1.b.

Jan ‘09

POWERARC® 5500

ELECTRIC SHOCK can kill.

ARC RAYS can burn.

conditions (in damp locations or while wearing wet

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

FUMES AND GASES

can be dangerous.

the following equipment:

• AC Welder with Reduced Voltage Control.

low as possible and within applicable OSHA PEL and

(earth) ground.

steel.