Hobart Welding Products OM-928 Principal Safety Standards, EMF Information, About Pacemakers

1-4. Principal Safety Standards

Safety in Welding and Cutting, ANSI Standard Z49.1, from American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Rd, Miami FL 33126

Safety and Health Standards, OSHA 29 CFR 1910, from Superinten- dent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Recommended Practices for Plasma Arc Cutting, American Welding Society Standard AWS C5.2, from American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Rd, Miami, FL 33126

Recommended Safe Practices for the Preparation for Welding and Cut- ting of Containers That Have Held Hazardous Substances, American Welding Society Standard AWS F4.1, from American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Rd, Miami, FL 33126

National Electrical Code, NFPA Standard 70, from National Fire Protec- tion Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.

Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in Cylinders, CGA Pamphlet P-1, from Compressed Gas Association, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 501, Arlington, VA 22202.

Code for Safety in Welding and Cutting, CSA Standard W117.2, from Canadian Standards Association, Standards Sales, 178 Rexdale Bou- levard, Rexdale, Ontario, Canada M9W 1R3.

Safe Practices For Occupation And Educational Eye And Face Protec- tion, ANSI Standard Z87.1, from American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.

Cutting And Welding Processes, NFPA Standard 51B, from National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.

1-5. EMF Information

Considerations About Welding Or Cutting And The Effects Of Low Frequency Electric And Magnetic Fields

Welding or cutting current, as it flows through the welding or cutting cables, will cause electromagnetic fields. There has been and still is some concern about such fields. However, after examining more than 500 studies spanning 17 years of research, a special blue ribbon committee of the National Research Council concluded that: “The body of evidence, in the committee’s judgment, has not demonstrated that exposure to power-frequency electric and magnetic fields is a human- health hazard.” However, studies are still going forth and evidence continues to be examined. Until the final conclusions of the research are reached, you may wish to minimize your exposure to electromagnetic fields when welding or cutting.

To reduce magnetic fields in the workplace, use the following proce- dures:

1.Keep cables close together by twisting or taping them.

2.Arrange cables to one side and away from the operator.

3.Do not coil or drape cables around your body.

4.Keep cutting power source and cables as far away from operator as practical.

5.Connect work clamp to workpiece as close to the cut as possi- ble.

About Pacemakers:

Pacemaker wearers consult your doctor first. If cleared by your doctor, then following the above procedures is recommended.

OM-928 Page 4