In welding, as in most jobs, exposures to certain hazards occur. Welding is safe when precautions are taken.
The safety information given below is only a summary of the more complete safety information. Please read and follow all.
ARC WELDING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Arc welding can be hazardous therefore you need to protect yourself and others from possible serious injury or death.
- Keep children away
- Pacemaker wearers, consult your doctor first
- Have all installation, operation, maintenance and repair work performed only by qualified people
Prevent Electric Shocks
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 or automatic wire 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. Therefore:
- Do not touch live electrical parts.
- Wear dry, hole-free insulating gloves and body protection.
- Insulate yourself from work and ground using dry insulating
- Disconnect input power or stop engine before installing or
- Properly install and ground this equipment according to its Owner's Manual and national and local codes.
- When making input connections, attach proper grounding conductor first.
- Turn off all equipment when not in use.
- Do not use worn, damaged, undersized, or poorly spliced cables.
- Do not wrap cables around your body.
- Ground the workpiece to a good electrical (earth) ground.
- Do not touch electrode if in contact with the work or ground.
- Use only well-maintained equipment. Repair or replace damaged parts at once.
- Wear a safety harness if working above floor level.
- Keep all panels and covers securely in place.
Protect Eyes, Skin & Ears
Arc rays can burn eyes and skin and noise can damage hearing permanently. Always protect yourself and that you:
- Use approved earplugs or ear muffs if noise level is high.
- Wear a welding helmet fitted with a proper shade of filter lens (see ANSI Z49.1 listed in Safety Standards) to protect your face and eyes when welding or watching.
- Wear approved safety glasses. Side shields recommended.
- Use protective screens or barriers to protect others from flash and glare; warn others not to watch the arc.
Protect Against Fumes and Gases
Fumes and gases can be hazardous to your health. Ensure that you:
- Keep your head out of the fumes.
- Do not breathe the fumes.
- If inside, ventilate the area and/or use extractor at the arc to remove welding fumes and gases.
Protect Against Fire or Explosion
Welding can cause fire or explosion, ensure that you:
- Protect yourself and others from flying sparks and hot metal.
- Do not weld where flying sparks can strike flammable material.
- Remove all flammables within 10m of the welding arc. If this is not possible, tightly cover them with approved covers.
Protect Against Flying Sparks and Hot Metal
Flying sparks and hot metal can cause injury. Chipping and grinding cause flying metal. As welds cool, they can throw off slag. Always ensure that you:
- Wear approved face shield or safety goggles. Side shields recommended.
- Wear proper body protection to protect skin.
Protect Against exploding Cylinders
Cylinders can explode if damaged. Always ensure that you:
- Keep cylinders away from any welding or other electrical circuits.
- Never allow a welding electrode to touch any cylinder.
- Install and secure cylinders in upright position by chaining them to a stationary support or equipment cylinder rack to prevent falling or tipping.
Protect Against Injury
Moving parts can cause injury. Always ensure that you:
- Keep away from pinch points such as drive rolls.
- Keep all doors, panels, covers and guards closed and securely in place.
Pacemakers
Magnetic fields from high currents can affect pacemaker operation. Pacemaker wearers should keep away from arc welding equipment.