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General Welding Safety Information

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Central Welding Supply carries a comprehensive inventory of safety products in each of our locations. Visit our Safety Products Page to see the name brands we carry.

The friendly staff members at Central Welding Supply are also available to help you find the specific information you may be looking for. Just visit our Contact Page if you need assistance. 

Common Welding Hazards
Electric Shock Fumes & Gases Welding Sparks Arc Rays
Confined Spaces Work Area Engine-Driven Gas Cylinders
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Shock Hazard: Electric Shock
Factors to consider:
 
  • Wetness
  • Welder in or on workpiece
  • Confined space
  • Electrode holder and cable insulation
Precautions:
 
  • 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.
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Shock Hazard: Fumes and gases can be dangerous.
Factors to consider:
 
  • 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
Precautions:
 
  • 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.
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Shock Hazard: Welding sparks can cause fire or explosion.
Factors to consider:
 
  • Containers which have held combustibles
  • Flammable materials
Precautions:
 
  • 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.
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Shock Hazard: Arc rays can burn eyes and skin.
Factors to consider:
 
  • Process: gas-shielded arc most severe
Precautions:
 
  • 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.
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Shock Hazard: Working in a confined space.
Factors to consider:
 
  • Metal enclosure Wetness
  • Restricted entry
  • Heavier than air gas
  • Welder inside or on workpiece
Precautions:
 
  • 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.
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Shock Hazard: General work area can present hazards.
Factors to consider:
 
  • Cluttered area
  • Indirect work (welding ground) connection
  • Electrical equipment
Precautions:
 
  • 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.
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Shock Hazard: Engine-driven equipment can present hazards.
Factors to consider:
 
  • Engine-driven equipment
Precautions:
 
  • 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).
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Shock Hazard: Gas Cylinders can explode.
Factors to consider:
 
  • Gas cylinders
Precautions:
 
  • Never touch cylinder with the electrode.
  • Never lift a machine with cylinder attached.
  • Keep cylinder upright and chained to support.
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