ELECTRIC SHOCK can kill.
1.a. The electrode and work (or ground) circuits are electrically “hot” when the power source is on. Do not touch these “hot” parts with your bare skin or wet clothing. Wear dry, hole-free gloves to insulate hands.
1.b. When the power source is operating voltages in excess of 250 volts are produced. This creates the potential for serious electrical shock - potentially even fatal.
1.c. Insulate yourself from work and ground using dry insulation. When cutting or gouging in damp locations, on metal frame- work such as floors, gratings or scaffolds and when in posi- tions such as sitting or lying, make certain the insulation is large enough to cover your full area of physical contact with work and ground.
1.d. Always be sure the work cable makes a good electrical con- nection with the metal being cut or gouged. The connection should be as close as possible to the area being cut or gouged.
1.e. Ground the work or metal to be cut or gouged to a good elec- trical (earth) ground.
1.f. Maintain the plasma torch, cable and work clamp in good, safe operating condition. Replace damaged insulation.
1.g. Never dip the torch in water for cooling or plasma cut or gouge in or under water.
1.h. When working above floor level, protect yourself from a fall should you get a shock.
1.i. Operate the pilot arc with caution. The pilot arc is capable of burning the operator, others or even piercing safety clothing.
1.j. Also see Items 4c and 6.
ARC RAYS can burn.
2.a. Use safety glasses and a shield with the prop- er filter and cover plates to protect your eyes from sparks and the rays of the arc when per- forming or observing plasma arc cutting or gouging. Glasses,headshield and filter lens should conform to ANSI Z87. I standards.
2.b. Use suitable clothing including gloves made from durable flame-resistant material to protect your skin and that of your helpers from the arc rays.
2.c. Protect other nearby personnel with suitable non-flammable screening and/or warn them not to watch the arc nor expose themselves to the arc rays or to hot spatter or metal.
FUMES AND GASES can be dangerous.
3.a. Plasma cutting or gouging may produce fumes and gases hazardous to health. Avoid breathing these fumes and gases.When cutting or gouging, keep your head out of the fumes. Use enough ventila-
tion and/or exhaust at the arc to keep fumes and gases away from the breathing zone. When cutting or gouging on lead or cadmium plated steel and other metals or coatings which produce highly toxic fumes keep expo- sure as low as possible and below Threshold Limit Values (TLV) using local exhaust or mechanical ventila- tion. In confined spaces or in some circumstances, out- doors, a respirator may be required. Additional precau- tions are also required when welding on galvanized steel.
3.b. Do not use plasma arc cutting or gouging in locations near chlorinated hydrocarbon vapors coming from degreasing, cleaning or spraying operations. The heat and rays of the arc can react with solvent vapors to form phosgene, a highly toxic gas, and other irritating products.
3.c. Gases used for plasma cutting and gouging can displace air and cause injury or death. Always use enough ventilation, especially in confined areas, to insure breathing air is safe.
3.d. 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 employ- er’s safety practices.
CUTTING SPARKS can cause fire or explosion.
4.a..Remove fire hazards from the plasma cut- ting or gouging area. If this is not possible, cover them to prevent the cutting or gouging sparks from starting a fire. Remember that
welding sparks and hot materials from plasma cutting or gouging can easily go through small cracks and openings to adjacent areas. Avoid cutting or gouging near hydraulic lines. Have a fire extinguisher readily available.
4.b. Where compressed gases are to be used at the job site, spe- cial precautions should be used to prevent hazardous situa- tions. Refer to “Safety in Welding and Cutting” (ANSI Standard Z49.1) and the operating information for the equip- ment being used.
4.c. When not cutting or gouging, make certain no part of the elec- trode circuit is touching the work or ground. Accidental con- tact can cause overheating and create a fire hazard.
4.d. Do not cut or gouge tanks, drums or containers until the prop- er steps have been taken to insure that such procedures will not cause flammable or toxic vapors from substances inside. They can cause an explosion even though they have been “cleaned.” For information purchase “Recommended Safe Practices for the Preparation for Welding and Cutting of Containers and Piping That Have Held Hazardous Substances”, AWS F4.1 from the American Welding Society (see address above).
4.e. Vent hollow castings or containers before heating, cutting or gouging. They may explode.
4.f. Do nor fuel engine driven equipment near area where plasma cutting or gouging.
