WARNING: These Safety Precautions are for your protection. They summarize precaution- ary information from the references listed in Additional Safety Information section. Before
performing any installation or operating procedures, be sure to read and follow the safety precautions listed below as well as all other manuals, material safety data sheets, labels, etc. Failure to observe Safety Precautions can result in injury or death.
PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS --Some welding, cutting, and gouging processes are noisy and require ear protection. The arc, like the sun, emits ultraviolet (UV) and other radiation and
can injure skin and eyes. Hot metal can cause burns. Training in the proper use of the processes and equip- ment is essential to prevent accidents. Therefore:
1.Always wear safety glasses with side shields in any work area, even if welding helmets, face shields, and goggles are also required.
2.Use a face shield fitted with the correct filter and cover plates to protect your eyes, face, neck, and ears from sparks and rays of the arc when operating or observing operations. Warn bystanders not to watch the arc and not to expose themselves to the rays of the electric-arc or hot metal.
3.Wear flameproof gauntlet type gloves, heavy long-sleeve shirt, cuffless trousers, high-topped shoes, and a weld- ing helmet or cap for hair protection, to protect against arc rays and hot sparks or hot metal. A flameproof apron may also be desirable as protection against radiated heat and sparks.
4.Hot sparks or metal can lodge in rolled up sleeves, trouser cuffs, or pockets. Sleeves and collars should be kept buttoned, and open pockets eliminated from the front of clothing
5.Protect other personnel from arc rays and hot sparks with a suitable non-flammable partition or curtains.
6.Use goggles over safety glasses when chipping slag or grinding. Chipped slag may be hot and can fly far. Bystanders should also wear goggles over safety glasses.
FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS -- Heat from flames and arcs can start fires. Hot slag or sparks can also cause fires and ex- plosions. Therefore:
1.Remove all combustible materials well away from the work area or cover the materials with a protective non- flammable covering. Combustible materials include wood, cloth, sawdust, liquid and gas fuels, solvents, paints and coatings, paper, etc.
2.Hot sparks or hot metal can fall through cracks or crevices in floors or wall openings and cause a hidden smoldering fire or fires on the floor below. Make certain that such openings are protected from hot sparks and metal.“
3.Do not weld, cut or perform other hot work until the workpiece has been completely cleaned so that there are no substances on the workpiece which might pro- duce flammable or toxic vapors. Do not do hot work on closed containers. They may explode.
4.Have fire extinguishing equipment handy for instant use, such as a garden hose, water pail, sand bucket, or portable fire extinguisher. Be sure you are trained in its use.
5.Do not use equipment beyond its ratings. For example, overloaded welding cable can overheat and create a fire hazard.
6.After completing operations, inspect the work area to make certain there are no hot sparks or hot metal which could cause a later fire. Use fire watchers when neces- sary.
7.For additional information, refer to NFPA Standard 51B, "Fire Prevention in Use of Cutting and Welding Pro- cesses", available from the National Fire Protection Asso- ciation, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK -- Contact with live electrical parts and ground can cause severe injury or death. DO NOT use AC welding current in damp areas, if move- ment is confined, or if there is danger of falling.
1.Be sure the power source frame (chassis) is connected to the ground system of the input power.
2.Connect the workpiece to a good electrical ground.
3.Connect the work cable to the workpiece. A poor or missing connection can expose you or others to a fatal shock.
4.Use well-maintained equipment. Replace worn or dam- aged cables.
5.Keep everything dry, including clothing, work area, cables, torch/electrode holder, and power source.
6.Make sure that all parts of your body are insulated from work and from ground.
7.Do not stand directly on metal or the earth while working in tight quarters or a damp area; stand on dry boards or an insulating platform and wear rubber-soled shoes.
8.Put on dry, hole-free gloves before turning on the power.
9.Turn off the power before removing your gloves.
10.Refer to ANSI/ASC Standard Z49.1 (listed on next page) for specific grounding recommendations. Do not mis- take the work lead for a ground cable.
ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS — May be dangerous. Electric current flow- ing through any conductor causes lo- calized Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF). Welding and cutting current cre- ates EMF around welding cables and welding machines. Therefore:
1.Welders having pacemakers should consult their physi- cian before welding. EMF may interfere with some pace- makers.
2.Exposure to EMF may have other health effects which are unknown.
3.Welders should use the following procedures to minimize exposure to EMF:
A.Route the electrode and work cables together. Secure them with tape when possible.
B.Never coil the torch or work cable around your body.
C.Do not place your body between the torch and work cables. Route cables on the same side of your body.
D.Connect the work cable to the workpiece as close as possible to the area being welded.
E.Keep welding power source and cables as far away from your body as possible.
