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PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS FROM POSSIBLE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. READ AND UNDERSTAND
BOTH THE SPECIFIC INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE OPERATING MANUAL FOR THE WELDER AND/OR OTHER
EQUIPMENT TO BE USED AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING GENERAL INFORMATION.
1. HAVE ALL INSTALLATION, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE
AND REPAIR WORK performed only by qualified people.
2. ELECTRIC SHOCK can kill.
Protect yourself from possible dangerous electrical shock:
a.
The electrode and work (or ground) circuits are
electrically "hot" when the welder is on. Never permit
contact between "hot" parts of the circuits and bare skin
or wet clothing. Wear dry, hole-free gloves to insulate
hands.
b.
Always insulate yourself from the work and ground by using dry
insulation. When welding in damp locations, on metal floors,
gratings or scaffolds, and when in positions such as sitting or
lying, make certain the insulation is large enough to cover your
full area of physical contact with work and ground.
c.
Always be sure the work cable makes a good electrical connec-
tion with the metal being welded. The connection should be as
close as possible to the area being welded.
d.
Ground the work or metal to be welded to a good
electrical ground.
e.
Maintain the electrode holder, work clamp, welding cable and
welding machine in good, safe operating condition.
f.
Never dip the electrode in water for cooling.
g.
Never simultaneously touch electrically "hot" parts of electrode
holders connected to two welders because voltage between the
two can be the total of the open circuit voltage of both welders.
h.
If using the welder as a power source for mechanized welding,
the above precautions also apply for the automatic electrode,
electrode reel, welding head, nozzle or semiautomatic welding
gun.
i.
When working above floor level, protect yourself from
a fall should you get a shock.
j.
Also see Items 6c and 8.
3. FUMES AND GASES can be dangerous to your health.
a.
Welding may produce fumes and gases hazardous to health.
Avoid breathing these fumes and gases. When welding, keep
your head out of the fume. Use enough ventilation and/or
exhaust at the arc to keep fumes and gases away from the
breathing zone. When welding on galvanized, lead or cadmium
plated steel and other metals which produce toxic fumes, even
greater care must be taken.
2
Arc Welding Safety Precautions
b.
Do not weld in locations near chlorinated hydrocarbon vapours
coming from degreasing, cleaning or spraying operations. The
heat and rays of the arc can react with solvent vapours to form
phosgene, a highly toxic gas, and other irritating products.
c.
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.
d.
Read and understand the manufacturer's instructions for this
equipment and the consumables to be used, including the materi-
al safety data sheet (MSDS) and follow your employer's safety
practices.
e.
Also see item 9b.
4. ARC RAYS can injure eyes and burn skin.
a.
Use a shield with the proper filter and cover plates to protect
your eyes from sparks and the rays of the arc when welding or
observing open arc welding. Headshield and filter lens should
conform to ANSI Z87. 1 standards.
b.
Use suitable clothing made from durable, flame-resistant materi-
al to protect your skin and that of your helpers from the arc rays.
c.
Protect other nearby personnel with suitable nonflammable
screening and/or warn them not to watch the arc nor expose
themselves to the arc rays or to hot spatter or metal.
5. FIRE OR EXPLOSION can cause death or property damage.
a.
Remove fire hazards well away from the area. If this is not pos-
sible cover them to prevent the welding sparks from starting a
fire. Remember that welding sparks and hot materials from
welding can easily go through small cracks and openings to
adjacent areas. Have a fire extinguisher readily available.
b.
Where compressed gases are to be used at the job site, special
precautions should be used to prevent hazardous situations.
Refer to "Safety in Welding and Cutting" (ANSI Standard 249.1)
and the operating information for the equipment being used.
c.
When not welding, make certain no part of the electrode circuit
is touching the work or ground. Accidental contact can cause
overheating and create a fire hazard.
d.
Do not heat, cut or weld tanks, drums or containers until the
proper steps have been taken to insure that such procedures will
not cause flammable or toxic vapours from substances inside.
They can cause an explosion even though they have been
"cleaned." For information purchase "Recommended Safe
Practices for the Preparation for Welding and Cutting of
Containers and Piping That Have Held Hazardous Substances.",
SAFETY
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