Welding

Safety

Welding

• Welding joins two pieces of metal by the use of heat, pressure, or both

• Brazing or soldering involves a filler metal which has a lower melting point than the metal pieces to be joined

• Metal cutting is done by heating the metal with a flame and directing a stream of pure oxygen along the line to be cut

Health Hazards

• Gases and Fumes…

• Welding “Smoke” is a mixture of very

fine particles called fumes and gases

• Welding “Smoke” contains fumes and

gases including…

• Chromium, nickel, arsenic, asbestos,

manganese, silica, beryllium, cadmium,

nitrogen oxides, phosgene, acrolein,

flourine compounds, carbon monoxide,

cobalt, copper, lead, ozone, selenium,

and zinc

Short-term exposures

• Exposure to zinc, magnesium, copper and copper oxide

can cause metal fume fever

• Symptoms of metal fume fevere may occur 4 to 12 hours

after exposure

• Symptoms include…

• Chills, thirst, fever, muscle ache, chest soreness,

coughing, wheezing, fatigue, nausea, and metallic taste

in mouth

Long-term exposures

• Studies of welders, flame cutters, and burners have

shown that welders have an increased risk of lung

cancer…

• and…possibly cancer of the larnyx and urinary tract

• Remember… welding “smoke” can include cancer

causing agents such as…cadmium, nickel, beryllium,

chromium, and arsenic

Other Health Risks…

• Heat exposure…

– Heat stress, heat stroke

• burns, eye injuries from hot slag, metal chips, sparks,

and hot electrodes

Electrical Hazards

• Even though welding generally uses low voltage, there is

still a danger of electric shock

• Wet work areas, Cramped work spaces

• Falls, fractures and other accidents can result from

electrical exposure

• Even small shock can cause brain damage

• Death can occur from large shocks

Electrical Hazards

• Always use dry gloves

• Always wear rubber soled shoes

• Always use insulating layers

• Protect yourself from surfaces that conduct electricity

• When working on electrically powered machinery, make

sure the frame is grounded

• Keep insulation on all welding equipment and

components dry and in good condition

• Don’t change electrodes with bare hands, wet gloves or

while standing on wet or ungrounded surfaces

Fire and Explosion Hazards

• Intense heat and sparks can cause fires

or explosions if in the vicinity of

combustible or flammable materials

• Ensure fire extinguisher must be placed.

• Welding and cutting should only be

performed in areas free of combustible

materials such as trash, wood, paper,

textiles, plastics, chemicals, and

flammable dusts, liquids and gases.

Trips and Falls

• To prevent trips and falls…

• keep work areas clear of equipment, machines, cables,

and hoses

• Always properly maintain and use handrails

• Always use and maintain safety lines, harnesses and

lanyards

• Always make sure that scaffolds are properly assembled

and used

Welding Hazards in Confined Space

• A work area with limited access, little or no airflow, not

intended for continuous occupation

– May also have dangerous atmospheres, hazardous

configurations, or other hazards

• All employees working in or around confined space must

be trained

Welding Hazards in Confined Space

• No worker should work in an area with less than 19.5%

or more than 23.5% oxygen content

• Never ventilate with oxygen

• Use continuous mechanical ventilation and proper

respiratory protection

• All pipes, ducts, power lines, etc. that are not necessary

for the work should be disconnected/locked out/tagged

out

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• PPE must be used in conjunction with engineering controls and safe work practices – Use of one does not eliminate the need for the other

• Eye protection should be used in all welding operations – Wear face shields or helmets and goggles or safety glasses

• Use appropriate filters on eye protection

Protective Clothing

• Fire resistant gauntlet gloves

• Headcap

• High top hard toed shoes

• Leather apron

• Faceshield

• Flame retardant clothing

• Safety Glasses

• Safety helmet

Hearing Protectors

• Ear plugs and/or muffs should

be worn during noisy operations

such as air arcing or grinding

• Most welding operations are

noisy

Respirators

• Must be specific to the hazard

• Must be fitted, cleaned, stored and

maintained in accordance to regulation

and manufacturers specs