Central Welding Supply - Welding Safety

Common Welding Hazards

Hazard: 

Electric shock can kill.

• Wetness
• Welder in or on workpiece
• Confined space
• Electrode holder and cable insulation

• Insulate welder from workpiece 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 workpiece 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.

• Confined area
• Positioning of welder's head
• Lack of general ventilation
• Electrode types, i.e., manganese, chromium, etc. See MSDS
• Base 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.

• 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.

• Process: gas-shielded arc most severe

• Select a filter lens which is comfortable for you while welding.
• Always use helmet when welding.
• Provide non-flammable shielding to protect others.
• Wear clothing which protects skin while welding.

• Metal enclosure Wetness
• Restricted entry
• Heavier than air gas
• Welder inside or on workpiece

• Carefully evaluate adequacy of ventilation especially where electrode requires special ventilation or 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.

• Cluttered area
• Indirect work (welding ground) connection
• Electrical equipment

• 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.
• 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 Lincoln service shop if 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.

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