Arc WeldingArc Welding

OSHA 29 CFR OSHA 29 CFR 1910.254, 1910.254,

1926.351(d)1926.351(d)

ObjectivesObjectives

Examples of how Accidents can Result from Arc Examples of how Accidents can Result from Arc WeldingWelding

Necessary Personal Protective EquipmentNecessary Personal Protective Equipment

Ventilation RequirementsVentilation Requirements

Fire Prevention PrecautionsFire Prevention Precautions

Safe Operation of an Arc WelderSafe Operation of an Arc Welder

Welding, Cutting and Brazing Welding, Cutting and Brazing Accidents - CausesAccidents - Causes

Inadequately trained personnelInadequately trained personnel

Poor housekeeping practicesPoor housekeeping practices

Poor shop layoutPoor shop layout

Inadequate lighting and ventilationInadequate lighting and ventilation

Improper storage and movement of compressed gas Improper storage and movement of compressed gas cylinderscylinders

Welding, Cutting and Brazing Welding, Cutting and Brazing Accidents – Causes (Cont’d)Accidents – Causes (Cont’d)

Exposure of oxygen cylinders and fittings to Exposure of oxygen cylinders and fittings to oil/greaseoil/grease

Pointing welding or cutting torches at a concrete Pointing welding or cutting torches at a concrete surfacesurface

Electric shock due to improper groundingElectric shock due to improper grounding

Inhalation of toxic fumes or vaporsInhalation of toxic fumes or vapors

Welding, Cutting and Brazing – Welding, Cutting and Brazing – Fires and Explosions - CausesFires and Explosions - Causes

Proximity of combustible solids, liquids, or dustsProximity of combustible solids, liquids, or dusts

Presence of explosive mixtures of flammable gases Presence of explosive mixtures of flammable gases and airand air

Presence of an oxygen-enriched atmospherePresence of an oxygen-enriched atmosphere

Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment

Fire retardant long sleeved coveralls without cuffsFire retardant long sleeved coveralls without cuffs

Sleeves and collars kept buttonedSleeves and collars kept buttoned

Leather gauntlet glovesLeather gauntlet gloves

High top leather shoesHigh top leather shoes

Helmets and gogglesHelmets and goggles

Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective Equipment(Cont’d)(Cont’d)

Safety glasses (No contact lenses)Safety glasses (No contact lenses)

Flame-proof skull capFlame-proof skull cap

Hearing protectionHearing protection

Ventilation Ventilation

The Welder must be located in an area with The Welder must be located in an area with adequate ventilationadequate ventilation

Non-Hazardous MetalsNon-Hazardous Metals – –

Ventilation system will move minimum of Ventilation system will move minimum of 2000 cubic feet per minute of air per welder2000 cubic feet per minute of air per welder

Hazardous MetalsHazardous Metals – –

Use a supplied-air type respirator or a Use a supplied-air type respirator or a respirator specially designed to filter the specific respirator specially designed to filter the specific metal fumemetal fume

Fire Prevention Fire Prevention

Arc Welders can produce temperatures in excess of Arc Welders can produce temperatures in excess of 10,000 degrees F10,000 degrees F

Establish fire barriersEstablish fire barriers

Work on fire-resistant floorWork on fire-resistant floor

Work in environment free of flammable liquids and Work in environment free of flammable liquids and vaporsvapors

Check for necessity of Hot Work PermitCheck for necessity of Hot Work Permit

Fire Prevention (Cont’d) Fire Prevention (Cont’d)

Establish Fire WatcherEstablish Fire Watcher

- qualified person proficient in operation of - qualified person proficient in operation of available fire extinguishersavailable fire extinguishers

- duty to detect and prevent spread of fire- duty to detect and prevent spread of fire

Fill any cracks in floorFill any cracks in floor

Remove or protect combustiblesRemove or protect combustibles

Have fire extinguishers available and readyHave fire extinguishers available and ready

Safe Practices – Before Safe Practices – Before Operation Operation

Proper training for all operatorsProper training for all operators

Check all connectionsCheck all connections

Work lead firmly attached to workWork lead firmly attached to work

Contact surfaces of work clamps free of metal Contact surfaces of work clamps free of metal splatter particlessplatter particles

Coiled welding cable spread outCoiled welding cable spread out

Inspect work and electrode lead cablesInspect work and electrode lead cables

Safe Practices – During Safe Practices – During Operation Operation

Proper working surfaceProper working surface

Clean materialClean material

Good housekeeping practicesGood housekeeping practices

Use metal tongs and pliers to handle hot metalUse metal tongs and pliers to handle hot metal

Hot metal marked “HOT” with soapstoneHot metal marked “HOT” with soapstone

Always use Arc Welding Safety Checklist!Always use Arc Welding Safety Checklist!

Engine Powered WeldersEngine Powered WeldersSafety Precautions Safety Precautions

Operate in open well-ventilated areaOperate in open well-ventilated area

Never fuel engine while runningNever fuel engine while running

Wipe up spilled fuel immediatelyWipe up spilled fuel immediately

Never remove radiator pressure cap from liquid Never remove radiator pressure cap from liquid cooled engines while hot cooled engines while hot

Engine Powered WeldersEngine Powered WeldersSafety Precautions (Cont’d) Safety Precautions (Cont’d)

Stop engine before performing any maintenanceStop engine before performing any maintenance

Keep all guards and shields in placeKeep all guards and shields in place

Keep hands, hair, clothing away from moving Keep hands, hair, clothing away from moving partsparts

Key Safety Points Key Safety Points

Welder is properly installed and groundedWelder is properly installed and grounded

Never weld without adequate ventilationNever weld without adequate ventilation

Take proper precautions to prevent firesTake proper precautions to prevent fires

Protect entire body with fire retardant clothing, Protect entire body with fire retardant clothing, shoes and glovesshoes and gloves

Wear eye protection at all timesWear eye protection at all times

Key Safety Points Key Safety Points

Weld only in a fire safe areaWeld only in a fire safe area

Never do any welding, cutting or hot work on used Never do any welding, cutting or hot work on used drums, barrels, tanks or similar containersdrums, barrels, tanks or similar containers

Mark metal “HOT” with soapstoneMark metal “HOT” with soapstone

Keep a well stocked first aid kit handyKeep a well stocked first aid kit handy

AssessmentAssessment

Take a few moments to complete Take a few moments to complete the assessment -the assessment -

Assessment – Assessment – Key 1Key 1 1. 1.

XX Inadequately trained personnelInadequately trained personnel

XX Poor housekeeping practicesPoor housekeeping practices

X X Poor shop layoutPoor shop layout

Adequate lighting and ventilation Adequate lighting and ventilation

X X Improper storage and movement of compressed gas Improper storage and movement of compressed gas cylinderscylinders

XX Exposure of oxygen cylinders and fitting to oil/greaseExposure of oxygen cylinders and fitting to oil/grease

XX Pointing welding or cutting torches at a concrete Pointing welding or cutting torches at a concrete surfacesurface

XX Electric shock when motors, generators are not Electric shock when motors, generators are not groundedgrounded

XX Inhalation of toxic fumes or vapors from welding metals Inhalation of toxic fumes or vapors from welding metals

Assessment – Assessment – Key 2Key 2

2. Welders should avoid clothing with tears, snags, 2. Welders should avoid clothing with tears, snags, rips, or worn spots because these areas are easily rips, or worn spots because these areas are easily ignitedignited by by sparkssparks..

3. 3. TrueTrue

4. 4. FalseFalse

5. 5. FalseFalse

Assessment – Assessment – Key 3Key 3

6. 6. A and CA and C

7. 7. BB

8. A Firewatcher is a 8. A Firewatcher is a qualifiedqualified individual proficient in individual proficient in the operation of the operation of fire extinguishingfire extinguishing equipment. equipment.

9. A Firewatcher’s duty is to 9. A Firewatcher’s duty is to detectdetect and and preventprevent the the spread of fire produced by welding or cutting activities.spread of fire produced by welding or cutting activities.

Assessment – Assessment – Key 4Key 4

10.10.

XX All connections to the arc welding machine shall be All connections to the arc welding machine shall be checkedchecked

XX The work lead shall be firmly attached to the workThe work lead shall be firmly attached to the work

A Firewatcher shall be postedA Firewatcher shall be posted

X X Coiled welding cables shall be spread out beforeCoiled welding cables shall be spread out before

Welding helmets shall be on at all timesWelding helmets shall be on at all times

XX Work and electrode lead cables shall be inspected for Work and electrode lead cables shall be inspected for damagedamage

Cables with damaged insulation shall be repaired with Cables with damaged insulation shall be repaired with electricians tapeelectricians tape

XX Electrode cables shall be joined and insulated Electrode cables shall be joined and insulated