Hazard

Factors to Consider

Precautionary Summary

Electric shock can kill

 
  • Wetness
  • Welder in or on work piece
  • Confined space
  • Electrode holder and cable insulation
  • Insulate welder form work piece and ground using dry insulation.  Rubber mat or dry wood.
  • Wear dry, hole-free gloves. (Change as necessary to keep dry.)
  • Do not touch electrically "hot" parts or electrode with bare skin or wet clothing.
  • If wet area and welder cannot be insulated from work piece with dry insulation, use a semiautomatic, constant-voltage welder or stick welder with voltage reducing device.
  • Keep electrode holder and cable insulation in good condition. Do not use if insulation is damaged or missing.

Fumes and gases can be dangerous

 
  • Confined area
  • Positioning of welder’s head
  • Lack of general ventilation
  • Electrode types, i.e., manganese, chromium, etc. See MSDS
  • Bases metal coatings, galvanize, paint
  • Use ventilation or exhaust to keep air breathing zone clear, comfortable.
  • Use helmet and positioning of head to minimize fume in breathing zone.
  • Read warnings on electrode container and material safety data sheet (MSDS) for electrode.
  • Provide additional ventilation/exhaust where special ventilation requirements exist.
  • Use special care when welding in a confined area.
  • Do not weld unless ventilation is adequate.

Welding sparks can cause fire or explosion
  • Containers which have held combustibles
  • Flammable materials
  • Do not weld on containers which have held combustible materials (unless strict AWS F4.1 procedures are followed). Check before welding.
  • Remove flammable materials from welding area or shield from sparks, heat.
  • Keep a fire watch in area during and after welding.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher in the welding area.
  • Wear fire retardant clothing and hat. Use earplugs when welding overhead.

Arc rays can burn eyes and skin
  • Process: gas-shielded arc most severe

Select a filter lens, which is comfortable for you while welding.

  • Always use helmet when welding and tacking.
  • Provide no-flammable shielding to protect others.
  • Wear clothing, which protects shin while welding.

 

Confined space
  • Metal enclosure
  • Wetness
  • Restricted entry
  • Heavier than air gas
  • Welder inside or on work piece
  • Carefully evaluate adequacy of ventilation especially where electrode requires special ventilation ore where gas may displace breathing air.
  • If basic electric shock precautions cannot be followed to insulate welder from work and electrode, use semiautomatic, constant-voltage equipment with cold electrode or stick welder with voltage reducing device.
  • Provide welder helper and method of welder retrieval from outside enclosure.

General work area hazards

 
  • Cluttered area
  • Indirect work (welding ground) connection.
  • Keep cables, materials, tools neatly organized.
  • Connect work cable as close as possible to area where welding is being performed. Do not allow alternate circuits through scaffold, cables, hoist chains, or ground leads.
  • Electrical equipment
  • Use only double insulated or properly grounded equipment.
  • Always disconnect power to equipment before servicing.

  • Engine-driven Equipment
  • Only use in open well ventilated areas.
  • Keep enclosure complete and guards in place.
  • See authorized service shop is guards are missing.
  • Turn off engine before refueling.
  • If using auxiliary power, OSHA may require GFI protection or assured grounding program (or isolated windings if less than 5KW).

  • Gas cylinders
  • Never touch cylinder with the electrode.
  • Never lift a machine with cylinder attached.
  • Keep cylinder upright and chained to support.