Arc Rays And Welding Hazards - Bernard CLEAN AIR SERIES Owner's Manual

1-2 Arc Rays and Welding Hazards

ARC RAYS can burn eyes and skin.
Arc rays from welding and cutting
processes produce intense visible and
invisible (ultraviolet and infrared) rays
that can burn eyes and skin. Sparks fly
off from the weld.
• Wear an approved welding helmet fitted with a proper
shade of filter lenses to protect your face and eyes from
arc rays and sparks when welding, cutting, or watching
(see ANSI Z49.1 and Z87.1 listed in Safety Standards).
• Wear approved safety glasses with side shields under
your helmet.
• Use protective screens or barriers to protect others from
flash, glare and sparks; warn others not to watch the arc.
• Wear body protection made from durable, flame−resistant
material (leather, heavy cotton, wool). Body protection
includes oil-free clothing such as leather gloves, heavy
shirt, cuffless trousers, high shoes, and a cap.
WELDING AND CUTTING can cause fire
or explosion
Welding or cutting on closed containers,
such as tanks, drums, or pipes, can cause
them to blow up. Sparks can fly off from the welding or
cutting arc. The flying sparks, hot work piece, and hot
equipment can cause fires and burns. Accidental contact
of electrode to metal objects can cause sparks,
explosion, overheating, or fire. Check and be sure the
area is safe before doing any welding or cutting.
• Remove all flammables within 35 ft (10.7 m) of the
welding or cutting arc. If this is not possible, tightly
cover them with approved covers.
• Do not weld or cut where flying sparks can strike
flammable material.
• Protect yourself and others from flying sparks and hot
metal.
• Be alert that welding sparks and hot materials from
welding and cutting can easily go through small cracks
and openings to adjacent areas.
• Watch for fire, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Be aware that welding or cutting on a ceiling, floor,
bulkhead, or partition can cause fire on the hidden side.
• Do not weld or cut on containers that have held
combustibles, or on closed containers such as tanks,
drums, or pipes unless they are properly prepared
according to AWS F4.1 and AWS A6.0 (see Safety
Standards).
• Do not weld or cut where the atmosphere may contain
flammable dust, gas, or liquid vapors (such as gasoline).
• Connect work cable to the work as close to the welding
or cutting area as practical to prevent welding or cutting
current from traveling long, possibly unknown paths
and causing electric shock, sparks, and fire hazards.
• Do not use welder to thaw frozen pipes.
• Remove stick electrode from holder or cut off welding
wire at contact tip when not in use.
• Wear body protection made from durable, flame−
resistant material (leather, heavy cotton, wool). Body
protection includes oil-free clothing such as leather gloves,
heavy shirt, cuffless trousers, high shoes, and a cap.
• Remove any combustibles, such as a butane lighter or
matches, from your person before doing any welding or
cutting.
• After completion of work, inspect area to ensure it is free of
sparks, glowing embers and flames.
• Use only correct fuses or circuit breakers. Do not oversize or
by-pass them.
• Follow requirements in OSHA 1910.252 (a) (2) (iv) and
NFPA 51B for hot work and have a fire watcher and
extinguisher nearby.
• Read and understand the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and the
manufacturer's instructions for adhesives, coatings,
cleaners, consumables, coolants, degreasers, fluxes, and
metals.
ELECTRIC SHOCK can kill
Touching live electrical parts can cause fatal
shocks or severe burns. The electrode and
work circuit is electrically live whenever
the output is on. The input power circuit
and machine internal circuits are also live
when power is on. In semi-automatic
welding, the wire, wire reel, drive roll
housing, and all metal parts touching the
welding wire are electrically live. Incorrectly installed or
improperly grounded equipment is a hazard.
• Do not touch live electrical parts.
• Wear dry, hole-free insulating gloves and body
protection.
• Insulate yourself from work and ground using dry
insulating mats or covers big enough to prevent any physical
contact with the work or ground.
• Do not use AC output in damp areas, if movement is
confined, or if there is a danger of falling.
• Use AC output ONLY if required for the welding or cutting
process.
• If AC output is required, use remote output control if
present on unit.
• Additional safety precautions are required when any of
the following electrically hazardous conditions are
present: in damp locations or while wearing wet clothing; on
metal structures such as floors, gratings, or scaffolds;
when in cramped positions such as sitting, kneeling,
or lying; or when there is a high risk of unavoidable
or accidental contact with the workpiece or ground. For
these conditions, use the following equipment in order
presented: 1) a semi-automatic DC constant voltage (wire)
welder, 2) a DC manual (stick) welder, or 3) an AC
welder with reduced open-circuit voltage. In most
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