Welding, Cutting, and Brazing

Welding safety program guidelines Determine who is accountable for enforcement of welding operations Hot work permitting system Perform a job hazard assessment of welding equipment 1a

Welding safety program guidelines Special procedures for equipment used in welding process Care of cylinders Ventilation systems Fire prevention 1b

Welding safety program guidelines Engineering controls Administrative controls Personal protective equipment Equipment inspection and maintenance Incident investigation 1c

Welding hazards Damage to eyes and skin Ultraviolet (UV) rays Infrared rays Purging and cleaning of closed containers prior to welding operations 2a

Welding hazards Toxic gases, fumes, and dusts Fire hazards from welding and cutting operations 2b

Welding hazards Metal splatter Electric shock Explosion hazards 2c

General safe work practices Use a platform with toeboards when working from elevated surfaces Protect workers from stray sparks or slag in areas below elevated work surfaces 3a

General safe work practices Warn others of hot metal by marking work areas Keep floor areas clear of electrodes and/or electrode stubs 3b

General safe work practices Never use bare conductors, damaged regulators, torches, or electrode holders Never arc weld or resist weld while standing on damp surfaces 3c

General safe work practices Keep fire extinguishers near areas where hot work is performed 3d

Compressed gas cylinder handling and storage Never accept compressed gas cylinders (CGCs) that were shipped in a horizontal position Store CGCs upright Keep CGCs secured with chains or cables 4a

Compressed gas cylinder handling and storage Group cylinders by type of gas Store full and empty cylinders apart Store gases so that old stock is removed and used first 4b

Compressed gas cylinder handling and storage Keep protective caps on stored CGCs Prevent the dropping or banging of CGCs Don’t roll CGCs along the bottom rim 4c

Compressed gas cylinder handling and storage Don’t lift CGCs by the cap unless using hand trucks designed for this purpose Prevent cylinders from falling, or from having objects fall on them 4d

Compressed gas cylinder handling and storage Ensure that valves, hoses, connectors, and regulators are in good condition 4e

Compressed gas cylinder handling and storage Never open valves until regulators are drained of gas and pressure adjusting devices are released When empty, close and return CGCs to the vendor 4f

Compressed gas cylinder handling and storage Empty CGCs must be labeled “MT” or “Empty” Keep oil and grease away from oxygen CGCs, valves, and hoses 4g

Fire watches for welding operations

Designate a fire watch whenever these conditions exist Combustible material is within 35 feet of the point of operation Combustibles are more than 35 feet away, but are easily ignited by sparks 5b

Designate a fire watch whenever these conditions exist Wall or floor openings within a 35-foot radius expose combustible material in adjacent areas Combustible materials opposite of walls or ceilings can be ignited by conduction or radiation 5c

Fire watchers will: Have fire extinguishers readily available, and be trained in their use Be familiar with alarm systems and their operation in the event of a fire 5d

Fire watchers will: Watch for fires in all exposed areas Only try to extinguish fires obviously within the capacity of the equipment 5e

Fire watchers will: Stay in hot work areas for at least one half hour after hot work operations have ceased to detect and extinguish smoldering fires 5f

Welding safety in confined spaces Before entry, test the work space for the following types of hazards: Flammability Combustibility Toxic fumes Slippery floor surfaces 6a

Welding safety in confined spaces When and where applicable, wear respiratory protection and a safety harness attached to a lifeline 6b

When hot work in a confined space is interrupted Disconnect power to arc welding or cutting equipment Remove electrodes from holders Turn off torch valves 6c

When hot work in a confined space is interrupted Turn off gas supply to gas welding and cutting units at a point outside the space Remove the torch and hose from the confined space, if possible 6d

Make housekeeping a priority Keep welding areas free of combustibles Ensure proper storage of compressed gas cylinders 7

Don’t take shortcuts Getting the job done safely is the first consideration Always evaluate the job and implement appropriate safety precautions 8