ii
SAFETY
ii
ARC RAYS can burn.4.a. Use a shield with the proper filter and cover
plates to protect your eyes from sparks and
therays of the arc when welding or observing
open arc welding. Headshield and filter lens
shouldconform to ANSI Z87. I standards.
4.b. Use suitable clothing made from durable flame-resistant
material to protect your skin and that of your helpers from
thearc rays.
4.c. Protectother nearby personnel with suitable, non-flammable
screeningand/or warn them not to watch the arc nor expose
themselvesto the arc rays or to hot spatter or metal.
ELECTRIC SHOCK cankill.3.a. The electrode and work (or ground) circuits
are electrically “hot” when the welder is on.
Do not touch these “hot” parts with your bare
skin or wet clothing. Wear dry, hole-free
glovesto insulate hands.
3.b. Insulate yourself from work and ground using dry insulation.
Makecertain the insulation is large enough to cover your full
areaof physical contact with work and ground.
In addition to the normal safety precautions, if welding
must be performed under electrically hazardous
conditions (in damp locations or while wearing wet
clothing;on metal structures such as floors,gratings or
scaffolds; when in cramped positions such as sitting,
kneelingor lying, if there is a high risk of unavoidable or
accidental contact with the workpiece or ground) use
thefollowing equipment:
•Semiautomatic DC Constant Voltage (Wire) Welder.
•DC Manual (Stick) Welder.
•AC Welder with Reduced Voltage Control.
3.c. In semiautomatic or automatic wire welding, the electrode,
electrode reel, welding head, nozzle or semiautomatic
weldinggun are also electrically “hot”.
3.d. Always be sure the work cable makes a good electrical
connection with the metal being welded. The connection
shouldbe as close as possible to the area being welded.
3.e. Ground the work or metal to be welded to a good electrical
(earth)ground.
3.f.
Maintainthe electrode holder, work clamp, welding cable and
weldingmachine in good, safe operating condition. Replace
damagedinsulation.
3.g. Never dip the electrode in water for cooling.
3.h. Never simultaneously touch electrically “hot” parts of
electrodeholders connected to two welders because voltage
between the two can be the total of the open circuit voltage
ofboth welders.
3.i. When working above floor level, use a safety belt to protect
yourselffrom a fall should you get a shock.
3.j. Also see Items 6.c. and 8.
FUMES AND GASEScan be dangerous.5.a.Welding may produce fumes and gases
hazardous to health. Avoid breathing these
fumes and gases. When welding, keep
your head out of the fume. Use enough
ventilationand/or exhaust at the arc to keep
fumes and gases away from the breathing zone. When
welding with electrodes which require special
ventilation such as stainless or hard facing (see
instructions on container or MSDS) or on lead or
cadmium plated steel and other metals or coatings
which produce highly toxic fumes, keep exposure as
low as possible and within applicable OSHA PEL and
ACGIH TLV limits using local exhaust or mechanical
ventilation. In confined spaces or in some circum-
stances, outdoors, a respirator may be required.
Additional precautions are also required when welding
ongalvanized steel.
5.b. The operation of welding fume control equipment is affected
by various factors including proper use and positioning of
the equipment, maintenance of the equipment and the spe-
cific welding procedure and application involved. Worker
exposure level should be checked upon installation and
periodically thereafter to be certain it is within applicable
OSHAPEL and ACGIH TLV limits.
5.c.
Donot weld in locations near chlorinated hydrocarbon
vapors
coming from degreasing, cleaning or spraying operations.
Theheat and rays of the arc can react with solvent vapors
to
form phosgene, a highly toxic gas, and other irritating prod-
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.