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• examination for evidence of fire. Remember that easily

visible smoke or flame may not be present for some time
after the fire has started.
Be sure the work cable is connected to the work as
close to the welding area as practical. Work cables con-
should be used for extra protection. Mechanization of
highly hazardous processes or jobs should be considered.
Other personnel in the work area should be protected
by the use of noncombustible screens or by the use of
appropriate protection as described in the previous para-
nected to the building framework or other locations some graph. Before leaving a work area, mark hot work pieces
distance from the welding area increase the possibility of to alert other persons of this hazard. Do not attempt to
the welding current passing through lifting chains, crane repair or disconnect electrical equipment under .load.
cables or other alternate circuits. This can create fire haz- Disconnecting under load produces arcing of the contacts
ards or overheat lifting chains or cables until they fail. and may cause bums andlor shocks. (Note: Bums can be
Do not weld or cut in atmospheres containing danger- caused by touching hot equipment such as electrode
ously reactive or flammable gases, vapors, liquids, or holders, tips and nozzles. Therefore, insulated gloves
dust. Do not apply heat to a container that has held an should be worn when these items are handled unless an
unknown substance or a combustible material whose adequate cooling period has been allowed before touch-
contents when heated can produce flammable or explo- ing.) See References 1, 4, 8, and 9.
sive vapors. Heat should not be applied to a workpiece
covered by an unknown substance or whose coating can J1.7 Mechanical Hazards. The use of, or the proxim-
produce flammable, toxic or reactive vapors when ity to, mechanical equipment can present hazards to the
heated. Adequate procedures should be developed and welder. A knowledge of the proper use of power tools,
proper equipment used to do the job safely. Provide ade- such as grinders, chippers, drills and various hand tools,
quate ventilation in work area to prevent accumulation of is important to welder safety. Know and understand the
flammable gases, vapors or dusts. Clean and purge con- safe limits and proper use of cranes, positioners, and
tainers before applying heat. other material handling equipment, and use the appropri-
Closed containers, including castings, should be ate guards and personal protective equipment.

•
vented before preheating, welding or cutting. Venting (1) Adhere to grinding wheel speed limitations. Don't
will prevent the buildup of pressure and possible explo- grind on the side of a wheel not designed for such serv-
sion due to the heating and the resultant expansion of ice. When starting a new wheel, stand to the side until it
gases. See References 1, 3, 4, 10, -and 11. reaches speed and correct any abnormalities noted. Be
sure guards are in place and used.
J1.6 Burn Protection. Molten metal, sparks, slag, and (2) Wear proper eye and hand protection. Use face
hot work surfaces are produced by the welding, cutting, shields, safety glasses and goggles as appropriate. Watch
and allied processes. These can cause bums if precau- out forsharp objects, pinch points, and moving objects.
tionary measures are not used. (3) Avoid wearing items that can be caught in
Workers should wear protective clothing made of fire machinery such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, long hair,
resistant material. Do not wear pant cuffs or have open loose clothing, etc.
pockets or other places on clothing that can catch and (4) Use the right tool for the job. Keep a firm grip on
retain molten metal or sparks. Wear high top shoes or tools to prevent their slipping away. Do not overload or
leather leggings and fire resistant gloves. Pant legs force a tool beyond its expected capabilities. Foresee
should be worn over the outside of high top boots. Use results of unexpected occurrences such as tools getting
helmets or hand shields that provide protection for the away, binding, or coming loose from their handles. Any
face, neck, and ears, and wear a head covering to protect tool that has become jammed or otherwise overstressed
the head. should be checked for damage before reuse. Anticipate
In addition, appropriate eye protection should be used. the reactive force from tools. See References I, 4,
When welding overhead or in confined spaces, wear ear and 12.
plugs to prevent weld spatter from entering the ear canal
and goggles or equivalent to give added eye protection. J1.8 Tripping and Falling. Trips and falls are a fre-
Keep clothing free of grease and oil. Do not carry com- quent cause of occupational injury and can result in seri-
bustible materials in pockets. If any combustible sub- ous injury or death. Welding, cutting and heating can
stance has been spilled on clothing, change to clean fire take place in a variety of locations. Therefore, welders
resistant clothing before working with open arcs or are exposed to the same tripping and falling hazards as
flame. those in other occupations. Proper precautions should be
Use aprons, cape-sleeves, leggings, and shoulder cov- observed. Be alert to the conditions in the work area.
ers and bibs designed for welding service. Where usually Good housekeeping is essential to minimize tripping and
heavy welding or cutting is involved, sheet metal shields falling. Actions to prevent faUs include the use of safety

COPYRIGHT 1999 American Welding Society, Inc. Information Handling Services, 1999
September 16, 1999 10:28:11
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50

belts and harnesses that are tied off, secured ladders, (2) unfavorable ventilation which could contain or
guardrails, proper scaffolding, and nets. Scaffolds and trap hazardous air contaminants and/or prevent replen-
other climbing and elevating equipment must be installed ishment of safe breathing air, or both.
and used properly. Do not carry items which obstruct Typical confined spaces include small rooms, storage
your view. Proper protective wear, such as skid resistant tanks, compartments of ships, process vessels, pits,
soles on shoes, should be used when conditions warrant. silos, vats, degreasers, reactor vessels, boilers, ventila-
Electrical equipment should be grounded and other pre- tion and exhaust ducts, sewers, tunnels, underground
cautions taken to prevent shock. Shock can cause a fall utility vaults, and pipelines. They can also include even
due to involuntary movements. the unventilated comer of a room. Death and serious
An alert, professional approach needs to be taken at aU injury have resulted from welding operations in confined
times. Do not tolerate horseplay, tossing tools to each spaces due to fire, explosions, asphyxiation, and expo-
other, bumping someone in a precarious position, or sure to hazardous air contaminants.
other distractions such as shouting when there is no rea- (1) Open all covers and secure them from closing.
son to shout. All these acts can contribute to tripping and (2) Test the atmosphere of the confined space to
falling. See References 1 and 4. assure
(a) The oxygen content is suitable for breathing.
JI.9 Confined Spaces. Welding, cutting and heating
a
operations can take place in variety of locations. Soine
(b) The atmosphere is not combustible or reactive.
(c) The atmosphere is not toxic.
of these locations may be considered "confined spaces"
having characteristics such as:
(1) limited space, entry or exit, or For detailed precautions see References 4 and 13 .

•
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References Cited
1. Safety in Welding and Cutting, AWS/ANSI Z49.1, Miami, Florida: American Welding Society.
2. Safe Practices, Reprint from Welding Handbook, Volume 1, Eighth Edition, Miami, Florida: American Welding
Society.
3. National Electrical Code, NFPA No. 70, National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Mas-
sachusetts 02269.
4. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 29, Chapter XVII, Part 1910: Washington, DC 20402, U. S. Govern-
ment Printing Office.
5. Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents in the Workroom Environment, Cincinnati,
Ohio: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).
6. Fumes and Gases in the Welding Environment, AWS report. Miami, Florida: American Welding Society.
7. Methodfor SOllnd Level Measurement of Manual Arc Welding and Cutting Processes, ANSIIAWS F6.1, Miami,
Florida: American Welding Society.
8. Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection, ANSI Z87.1. New York: American National
Standards Institute, latest edition.
9. Safety - Toe Footwear, ANSI Z41.1. New York: American National Standards Institute, latest edition.
10. Cutting and Welding Processes, NFPA Standard 51B. Quincy, Massachusetts: Fire Protection Association, latest
edition.
11. Recommended Safe Practices for the Preparation for Welding and Cutting Containers that Have Held Hazardous

• Substances, ANSIIAWS F4.1. Miami, Florida: American Welding Society, latest edition.
12. ANSI Z244.I, Safety Requirementsfor the Lockout/Tagout of Energy Sources, American National Standards Insti-
tute; New York, NY 10018.
13. ANSI Zll7.1-1977, Safety Requirements for Working in Tanks and Other Confined Spaces, American National
Standards Institute, New York, NY 10018.
14. Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection, ANSI Z87.1 New Yark: American National
Standards Institute.
IS. National Bureau of Standards Handbooks:
NBS-HDBK-60 X-Ray Protection
NBS-HDBk-93 Safety Standard for Non-Medical X-Ray and Sealed Gamma-Ray Sources
NBS-HDBK-114 General Safety Standard for Installation using Non-Medical X-Ray and Sealed Gamma Ray
Sources up to 10 MeV Equipment Design and Use.
The Handbooks are available from National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20202.
16. ASTM E586 Definitions of Terms Relating to Gamma and X-Radiography, 1988 Annual Book of ASTM
Standards, Section 3, Volume 03.03.
Available from ASTM, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-1187.
17. Federal Standard No. 21-Code of Federal Regulations, 1020.40 Safety Requirements for Cabinet X-Ray.

COPYRIGHT 1999 American Welding Society, Inc. Information Handling Services, 1999
September 16, 1999 10:28:11