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FUMES and GASES can damage your health
The fumes and gases produced when welding can be hazardous to your health.
Avoid breathing these fumes
•
Keep your head out of the fumes, do not breathe them in.
•
If indoors ventilate the area well and/or use local extraction ventilation
equipment to remove fumes and gases
•
When welding in confined spaces of areas of poor ventilation use an
approved air supplied respirator system
•
Read and understand the electrode manufacturers' health and safety data
sheets
•
Do not weld in areas near de-greasing, cleaning or spraying operations. The
vapors can react with the heat and rays of the arc to form highly toxic and
irritating gases.
•
Do not weld on coated metals i.e. galvanized; lead or cadmium plated
metals unless the coating has been completely removed from the welding
area. The coatings can give off highly toxic fumes if welded.
ARC RAYS can burn the eyes and skin
The welding arc produces intense visible and invisible (Ultraviolet and infrared)
rays that will burn the eyes and skin.
•
Wear a welding helmet fitted with the correct shade of filter to protect your
face and eyes, when welding or watching
•
Wear approved safety glasses with side screens under your welding helmet.
•
Use protective screens or barriers to shield the working area and protect
others from arc-flash and glare; warn others not to watch the arc.
•
Wear protective clothing made from leather or thick flame-resistant material.
Cover all exposed skin areas.
FLYING PARTICLES can injure eyes.
Welding, chipping, wire brushing and grinding can cause sparks and flying
particles. Slag can be thrown off the weld as it cools.
• Always wear approved safety glasses with side shields even under your
welding shield.
WELDING can cause fire or explosion
Welding causes sparks to fly off the arc. Hot equipment, flying sparks and the
hot work-piece can cause fires and explosions. Welding on closed containers or
pipe-work can cause rapid expansion of the gases within them resulting in
possible explosion.
• Remove any flammable materials from the welding area. Do not weld in an
area where flying sparks can ignite flammable materials.
• Use flame proof blankets to shield any possible causes of ignition from flying
sparks or hot metal/slag
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and watch for fire, particularly on the hidden
side of any working area.
• Do not weld on closed containers, tanks, drums or pipes unless they are
properly and safely vented.
•
Always wear oil and grease free flame-proof protective clothing.
• Always remove combustible/ flammable materials from the working area prior
to commencing any welding operation.
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