Section 1 - Safety Precautions For Gmaw Welding Guns - Read Before Using; Fume Extraction Hazards - Bernard CLEAN AIR SERIES Owner's Manual

SECTION 1 - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS - READ BEFORE USING

1-1 Fume Extraction Hazards

Fume Extraction Misuse can be
dangerous
•
Welding produces fumes and gases. Breathing these
fumes and gases can be hazardous to your health.
Combustible materials may ignite and cause fire and
explosion.
• Read and follow these instructions and the safety
labels carefully. The fume extraction gun helps protect
the user from specific airborne contaminants but must
be used correctly to be fully effective. Have an industrial
hygienist test the air in your facility to ensure the fume
extraction gun provides adequate protection from
contaminants in your environment. If you have questions
about the fume extraction gun see equipment label and
consult your Safety Director and a certified Industrial
Hygienist.
• Follow all applicable ANSI, OSHA, CSA, UL, and other
regulatory guidelines pertaining to the use of fume
extraction guns and the recirculation of filtered air.
Portions of fume collection equipment, including the
clean- and dirty-air plenums, may be considered OSHA
Confined Spaces. Refer to the appropriate OSHA
regulations to determine if a specific installation is a
confined space and if a permit program is required.
• Only use the fume extraction gun to extract weld fumes.
Do not use the fume extraction gun to extract hot gases
(above 140°F/60°C) wood or cement dust, engine
exhaust, liquid vapors, explosive materials, aggressive
fumes (acid), fumes from burning objects, or fumes from
cleaning, cutting, gouging, grinding, painting, flame
spraying, sand blasting, or other non−welding operations.
• Fumes from some welding operations may be
combustible Do not install or operate fume extraction MIG
gun where combustible weld fumes may be present
unless a fire/and/or explosion protection system is
present that has been selected and approved by a
qualified person familiar with applicable codes and fire/
explosion protection systems.
• Use the fume extraction gun only in atmospheres for
which it is recommended. Do not use the fume
extraction gun where contaminant levels are unknown
or are immediately dangerous to life, or where the
contaminant levels exceed the fume extraction gun
specifications.
• Do not weld until you are sure the fume extraction gun is
correctly assembled and working properly.
• Before each use, inspect the fume extraction gun for
damage and verify it operates properly.
• Dangerous contaminants may not smell or be visible.
Leave the area immediately if you notice the following:
a. Breathing becomes difficult.
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b. You experience dizziness, impaired vision, or eye,
nose, or mouth irritation.
c. The equipment is damaged.
d. Air flow decreases or stops.
e. If you think the equipment is not supplying adequate
protection.
• Do not repair, modify, or disassemble the fume extraction
gun or use with parts or accessories not supplied by the
manufacturer. Use only approved components from the
manufacturer.
• Read and understand the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and
the manufacturer's instructions for adhesives, coatings,
cleaners consumables, coolants, degreasers, fluxes, and
metals.
FUMES AND GASES can be hazardous
Welding and cutting produces fumes
and gases. Breathing these fumes
and gases can be hazardous to your
health.
• Keep your head out of the fumes. Do not breathe the fumes.
• If inside, ventilate the area and/or use local forced ventilation
at the arc to remove welding and cutting fumes and gases.
The recommended way to determine adequate ventilation
is to sample for the composition and quantity of fumes and
gases to which personnel are exposed.
• If ventilation is poor, wear an approved air-supplied
respirator.
• Read and understand the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and
the manufacturer's instructions for adhesives, coatings,
cleaners, consumables, coolants, degreasers, fluxes and
metals.
• Work in a confined space only if it is well ventilated, or while
wearing an air-supplied respirator. Always have a trained
watch-person nearby. Welding and cutting fumes and gases
can displace air and lower the oxygen level causing injury or
death. Be sure the breathing air is safe.
• Do not weld or cut in locations near degreasing, cleaning,
or spraying operations. The heat and rays of the arc can
react with vapors to form highly toxic and irritating gases.
• Do not weld or cut on coated metals, such as galvanized,
lead, or cadmium plated steel, unless the coating is
removed from the weld area, the area is well ventilated,
and while wearing an air-supplied respirator. The coatings
and any metals containing these elements can give off
toxic fumes if welded.