Lincoln Electric SVM208-A ELECTRIC SHOCK can kill, ARC RAYS can burn, can be dangerous, Safety

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

scaffolds; when in cramped positions such as sitting,

FUMES AND GASES

kneeling or lying, if there is a high risk of unavoidable or

accidental contact with the workpiece or ground) use

can be dangerous.

the following equipment:

• Semiautomatic DC Constant Voltage (Wire) Welder.

5.a. Welding may

produce

fumes and gases

• 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 within applicable OSHA PEL and

3.e. Ground the work or metal to be welded to a good electrical

ACGIH TLV limits using local exhaust or mechanical ven-

tilation. In confined spaces or in some circumstances,

(earth) ground.

outdoors, a respirator may be required. Additional pre-

3.f. Maintain the electrode holder, work clamp, welding cable and

cautions are also required when welding on galvanized

steel.

welding machine in good, safe operating condition. Replace

damaged insulation.

5. b. The operation of welding fume control equipment is affected

3.g. Never dip the electrode in water for cooling.

by various factors including proper use and positioning of the

equipment, maintenance of the equipment and the specific

3.h. Never simultaneously touch electrically

“hot” parts of

welding procedure and application involved. Worker expo-

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.

3.i. When working above floor level, use a safety belt to protect

5.c. Do not weld in locations near chlorinated hydrocarbon vapors

coming from degreasing, cleaning or spraying operations.

yourself from a fall should you get a shock.

The heat and rays of the arc can react with solvent vapors to

3.j. Also see Items 6.c. and 8.

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.

BULLDOG® 140