Lincoln Electric SVM176-A Electric Shock can kill ARC Rays can burn, Fumes and Gases

Return to Master TOC

Return to Master TOC

Return to Master TOC

Return to Master TOC

ii	SAFETY									ii
	ELECTRIC SHOCK can kill.			ARC RAYS can burn.
	3.a. The electrode and work (or ground) circuits			4.a. Use a shield with the proper filter and cover
	are electrically “hot” when the welder is on.			plates to protect your eyes from sparks and
	Do not touch these “hot” parts with your bare			the rays of the arc when welding or observing
	skin or wet clothing. Wear dry, hole-free			open arc welding. Headshield and filter lens
	gloves to insulate hands.			should conform to ANSI Z87. I standards.
3.b. Insulate yourself from work and ground using dry insulation.		4.b. Use suitable clothing made from durable flame-resistant
	Make certain the insulation is large enough to cover your full		material to protect your skin and that of your helpers from
	area of physical contact with work and ground.		the arc rays.
	In addition to the normal safety precautions, if welding	4.c. Protect other nearby personnel with suitable, non-flammable
	must be performed under electrically hazardous		screening and/or warn them not to watch the arc nor expose
	conditions (in damp locations or while wearing wet		themselves to the arc rays or to hot spatter or metal.
	clothing; on metal structures such as floors, gratings or
				FUMES AND GASES
	kneeling or lying, if there is a high risk of unavoidable or
	scaffolds; when in cramped positions such as sitting,			can be dangerous.
	the following equipment:
	accidental contact with the workpiece or ground) use			5.a. Welding		may	produce	fumes and		gases
	• Semiautomatic DC Constant Voltage (Wire) Welder.
	• DC Manual (Stick) Welder.				hazardous to health. Avoid breathing these
	• AC Welder with Reduced Voltage Control.				fumes and gases.When welding, keep
					your head out of the fume. Use enough
3.c. In semiautomatic or automatic wire welding, the electrode,					ventilation and/or exhaust at the arc to keep
			fumes and gases away from the breathing zone.							When
	electrode reel, welding head, nozzle or semiautomatic		welding with electrodes which require special
	welding gun are also electrically “hot”.		ventilation such as stainless or hard facing (see
3.d. Always be sure the work cable makes a good electrical			instructions on container or MSDS) or on lead or
			cadmium plated steel and other metals or coatings
	connection with the metal being welded. The connection		which produce highly toxic fumes, keep exposure as
	should be as close as possible to the area being welded.		low as possible and below Threshold Limit Values (TLV)
3.e. Ground the work or metal to be welded to a good electrical			using local exhaust or mechanical ventilation. In
			confined spaces or in some circumstances, outdoors, a
3.f.	(earth) ground.		respirator may be required. Additional precautions are
	Maintain the electrode holder, work clamp, welding cable and		also	required	when	welding on		galvanized		steel.
	welding machine in good, safe operating condition. Replace	5. b. The operation of welding fume control equipment is affected
	damaged insulation.		by various factors including proper use and positioning of the
3.g. Never dip the electrode in water for cooling.			equipment, maintenance of the equipment and the specific
			welding procedure and application involved.						Worker expo-
3.h. Never simultaneously touch electrically “hot” parts of			sure level should be checked upon installation and periodi-
	electrode holders connected to two welders because voltage		cally thereafter to be certain it is within applicable OSHA PEL
	between the two can be the total of the open circuit voltage		and ACGIH TLV limits.
	of both welders.	5.c. Do not weld in locations near chlorinated hydrocarbon vapors
3.i.	When working above floor level, use a safety belt to protect		coming from degreasing, cleaning or spraying operations.
			The heat and rays of the arc can react with solvent vapors to
3.j.	yourself from a fall should you get a shock.		form phosgene, a highly toxic gas, and other irritating prod-
	Also see Items 6.c. and 8.		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 manufacturerʼs instructions for this
			equipment and the consumables to be used, including the
			material safety data sheet (MSDS) and follow your
			employerʼs safety practices. MSDS forms are available from
			your	welding	distributor or		from	the	manufacturer.
		5.f. Also see item 1.b.
		AUG ʻ06