FUMES AND GASES can be dangerous.
3.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 ventilation and/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 possi- ble and below Threshold Limit Values (TLV) using local exhaust or mechanical ventilation. In confined spaces or in some circum- stances, outdoors, a respirator may be required. Additional precau- tions are also required when welding on galvanized steel.
3.b. Do not weld 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. 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.
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 employer’s safety practices. MSDS forms are available from your welding distributor or from the manufacturer.
3.e. Also see item 7b.
WELDING SPARKS can cause
fire or explosion.
4.a..Remove fire hazards from the welding area. If this is not possible, cover them to prevent the welding sparks from starting a fire. Remember that welding sparks and hot materials from welding can easily go through small cracks and openings to adjacent areas. Avoid welding near hydraulic lines. Have a fire extinguisher readily available.
4.b. Where compressed gases are to be used at the job site, special precautions should be used to prevent hazardous situations. Refer to “Safety in Welding and Cutting” (ANSI Standard Z49.1) and the operating information for the equipment being used.
4.c. When not welding, make certain no part of the electrode circuit is touching the work or ground. Accidental contact can cause overheating and create a fire hazard.
4.d. Do not heat, cut or weld tanks, drums or containers until the proper 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 welding. They may explode.
4.f. Sparks and spatter are thrown from the welding arc. Wear oil free protective garments such as leather gloves, heavy shirt, cuffless trousers, high shoes and a cap over your hair. Wear ear plugs when welding out of position or in confined places. Always wear safety glasses with side shields when in a welding area.
4.g. Connect the work cable to the work as close to the welding area as practical. Work cables connected to the building framework or other locations away from the welding area increase the possibility of the welding current passing through lifting chains, crane cables or other alternate circuits. This can cre- ate fire hazards or overheat lifting chains or cables until they fail.
4.h. Also see item 7c.
