1-4. California Proposition 65 Warnings
Welding or cutting equipment produces fumes or gases which contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause birth defects and, in some cases, cancer. (California Health & Safety Code Section 25249.5 et seq.)
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
For Gasoline Engines:
Engine exhaust contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproduc- tive harm.
For Diesel Engines:
Diesel engine exhaust and some of its constituents are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and other reproductive harm.
1-5. Principal Safety Standards
Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, ANSI Standard Z49.1, from Global Engineering Documents (phone:
Recommended Practices for Plasma Arc Cutting, American Welding Society Standard AWS C5.2, from Global Engineering Documents (phone:
Recommended Safe Practices for the Preparation for Welding and Cut- ting of Containers That Have Held Hazardous Substances, American Welding Society Standard AWS F4.1, from Global Engineering Docu- ments (phone:
National Electrical Code, NFPA Standard 70, from National Fire Protec- tion Association, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA
Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in Cylinders, CGA Pamphlet
Code for Safety in Welding and Cutting, CSA Standard W117.2, from Canadian Standards Association, Standards Sales, 5060 Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4W 5NS (phone:
Safe Practice For Occupational And Educational Eye And Face Protec- tion, ANSI Standard Z87.1, from American National Standards Institute, 25 West 43rd Street, New York, NY
Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work, NFPA Standard 51B, from National Fire Protection Association, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA
OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry, Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1910, Subpart Q, and Part 1926, Subpart J, from U.S. Government Printing Office, Superin- tendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA
1-6. EMF Information
Considerations About Welding Or Cutting And The Effects Of Low Frequency Electric And Magnetic Fields
Welding or cutting current, as it flows through the welding or cutting cables, will cause electromagnetic fields. There has been and still is some concern about such fields. However, after examining more than 500 studies spanning 17 years of research, a special blue ribbon committee of the National Research Council concluded that: “The body of evidence, in the committee’s judgment, has not demonstrated that exposure to
To reduce magnetic fields in the workplace, use the following proce- dures:
1.Keep cables close together by twisting or taping them, or using a cable cover.
2.Arrange cables to one side and away from the operator.
3.Do not coil or drape cables around your body.
4.Keep cutting power source and cables as far away from operator as practical.
5.Connect work clamp to workpiece as close to the cut as possible.
About Implanted Medical Devices:
Implanted Medical Device wearers should consult their doctor and the device manufacturer before performing or going near arc welding, spot welding, gouging, plasma arc cutting, or induction heating operations. If cleared by your doctor, then following the above procedures is recom- mended.
