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SECTION
1
SAFETY RULES FOR OPERATION OF ARC WELDING POWER SOURCE
1-1.
INTRODUCTION
We learn
by experience. Learning safety through
per
sonal
experience,
like
a
child
touching
a
hot
stove
is
harmful, wasteful,
and unwise. Let the
experience
of
others teach you.
Safe
practices developed
from
experience
in the
use
of
welding
and
cutting
are
described in this manual. Re
search,
development,
and
field
experience
have
evolved reliable
equipment
and safe
installation,
opera
tion,
and
servicing practices.
Accidents
occur
when
equipment
is
improperly
used
or
maintained. The
rea
son
for the safe
practices
may
not
always
be
given.
Some
are
based
on common
sense,
others may
require
technical volumes
to
explain.
It is wiser
to
follow the
rules.
Read and understand these safe
practices
before
at
tempting
to
install,
operate,
or
service the
equipment.
Comply
with these
procedures
as
applicable
to the
par
ticular
equipment
used and their instruction
manuals,
for
personal safety
and for the
safety
of others.
Failure
to observe these
safe
practices
may
cause
seri
ous
injury
or
death. When
safety
becomes
a
habit,
the
equipment
can
be used with confidence.
These safe
practices
are
divided into
two
Sections:
1
-Genaral
Precautions,
common
to
arcwelding
and
cut
ting;
and 2-Arc
Welding (and Cutting) (only).
Reference standards:
Published Standards
on
safety
are
also available for additional and
more
complete
pro
cedures than those
given
in this manual.
They
are
listed
in the
Standards Index
in this manual.
ANSI Z49.1 is
the
most
complete.
The National Electrical
Code,
Occupational Safety
and
Health
Administration,
local industrial
codes,
and local
inspection requirements
also
provide
a
basis for
equip
ment
installation,
use, and
service.
1-2.
GENERAL
PRECAUTIONS
Different
arc
welding
processes,
electrode
alloys,
and fluxes
can
produce
different
fumes,
gases,
and
radiation levels. In addition
to
the information In
this
manual,
be
sure
to
consult flux and electrode
manufacturers
Material
Safety
Data
Sheets
(MSDS5)
for
specific
technical data and
precaution
ary
measures
concerning
their material.
A.
Burn Prevention
Wear
protective clothing-gauntlet gloves designed
for
use
in
welding,
hat,
and
high safety-toe
shoes. Button
shirt collar and
pocket flaps,
and
wear
cuff less
trousers
to
avoid
entry
of
sparks
and
slag.
Wear helmet with
safety goggles
and
glasses
with side
shields
underneath,
appropriate
filter lenses
or
plates
(protected by
clear
cover
glass).
This is
a
MUST for
welding
or
cutting, (and chipping)
to
protect
the eyes
from radiant
energy and
flying
metal.
Repiace
cover
glass
when
broken,
pitted,
or
spattered.
See
1
-3A.2.
Avoid
oily
or
greasy
clothing.
A
spark
may
ignite
them.
Hot metal such
as
electrode stubs and
workpieces
should
never
be handled without
gloves.
Medical first aid and eye
treatment.
First aid
facilities
and
a
qualified
first aid person should be available for
each shift unless medical facilities
are
close
by
for im
mediate treatment of flash burns of the
eyes
and skin
burns.
Ear
plugs
should be
worn
when
working
on
overhead
or
in
a
confined space.
A hard hat should
be
worn
when
others work overhead.
Flammable hair
preparations
should
not be used
by
per
sons
intending
to
weld
or
cut.
B.
Toxic Fume
Prevention
Severe
discomfort,
illness
or
death
can
result from
fumes,
vapors,
heat,
or
oxygen enrichment
ordepletion
that
welding (or cutting)
may
produce.
Prevent
them
with
adequate
ventilation
as
described in ANSI Stan
dard Z49.1 listed
in
Standards Index. NEVER ventilate
with oxygen.
Lead
-,cadmium-, zinc-,
mercury
-,
and
beryllium-bear
ing
and similar
materials,
when welded
(or Cut)
may pro
duce harmful concentrations of toxic
fumes.
Adequate
local exhaust ventilation
must
be
used,
or
each person
in the
area as
well
as
the
operator
must
wear an
air-sup
plied respirator.
For
beryllium,
both
must
be used.
Metals coated with
or
containing
materials
that emit
toxic fumes should
not be
heated unless
coating
is
re
moved from the work
surface,
the
area
is well ventilated
and,
if necessary, while
wearing
an
air-supplied respira
tor.
Work in
a
confined space
only
while it is
being
ventilated
and,
if necessary, while
wearing
an
air-supplied respira
tor.
Gas
leaks in
a
confined space should be avoided.
Leaked gas
in
large
quantities
can
change
oxygen
con
centration
dangerously.
Do
not
bring
gas
cylinders
into
a
confined
space.
Leaving
confined space, shut OFF gas
supply
at
source
to
prevent
possible
accumulation of gases
in the
space
if
downstream valves have been
accidentally opened
or
left open. Check
to
be
sure
that the
space is safe
before
re-entering
it.
Vapors
from
chlorinated solvents
can
be
decomposed
by
the heat of the
arc
(or flame)
to
form
PHOSGENE,
a
highly
toxic gas, and other
lung
and eye
irritating
prod
ucts.
The ultraviolet
(radiant)
energy of the
arc can
also
decompose
trichloroethylene
and
perchloroethylene
121988
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1
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