Welding Safety 1

Introduction A safe working/learning environment is required by federal and state law. What is a safe working/learning environment? 2

Accident What is an accident? What causes accidents? 3

Hazards What is a hazard? Conclusion: A safe environment is a hazard free environment Is it possible to have a hazard free environment? NO !! Will every hazard result in an accident? NO !! 4

Hazards—cont. If hazards cause accidents and hazards are always present in the work/learning environment, then how do we provide a safe work/learning environment? 5

Safety Plan All schools and manufacturing facilities must have a safety plan. Safety plans must be customized for the work place and hazards, but all plans should have the following seven (7) sections. 1Hazard awareness 2Risk assessment 3Management 4Education 5Evaluation 6Review 7Documentation Each one of these will be discussed in more detail. 6

Safety Plan –1. Hazard Awareness Hazard awareness is the identification and inventory of all hazards in the work area. Who can help you identify hazards? What is a hazard inventory? What do you do with a hazard inventory? 7

Hazard Awareness—cont.-- Seven (7) Categories of Hazards 7. Fire 3. Human2. Environmental1. Electrical 4. Mechanical5. Chemical6. Animal Can you give an example of each category typically found in a secondary school shop? Will a list of typical hazards found in manufacturing be different? 8

Safety Plan—2. Risk Assessment Sources of information: –OSHA –MSDS –Other professionals –Standard practice –Experience What is risk? How do you determine the probability that a hazard will cause an accident? 9 Is an individuals perception of risk accurate?

Risk Assessment– cont--Risk Can a persons decisions and behaviors influence risk? Conclusion? Does the risk level for a hazard stay the same? 10 Explain?

Risk Assessment - Risk—cont. Accidents are caused by hazards. 11 Hazards always exist in every environment. What must a person do to be safe?

Safety Plan--3. Management If the hazards can not be eliminated, how are the risks managed? What is BMP? What is the first step in work place risk management? 12 Can all hazards be eliminated? Best management technique is called “Best Management Practices (BMP)”

3. Control –cont.--Best Management Practices 1. Best Management practices (BMP) are generally-accepted, informally-standardized techniques, methods or processes that have proven themselves over time to accomplish given tasks. Five concepts: Can you give an example? 13 Policies and procedures.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Almost all human activity requires some form of protective equipment. Scuba divingMutton busting In the shop it is important to wear the correct PPE for the activity. 14

Shop PPE Safety Glasses & Face Shields –Required whenever there is a hazard from flying objects, acids, caustic chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, solvents, molten metal and hot water. –One design does not protect from all hazards. Flying objects (Z87.) Chemicals (No vents or indirect vents) Molten metal (wire mesh)

PPE Shop--cont. Hair Restraints –Long hair can be easily caught in rotation equipment. Hair net Hat Etc. 16

PPE Shop--cont. Clothing The purpose of clothing is to protect the skin and extremities. Coveralls Aprons Shop coats Footwear Gloves Hardhats Masks and respirators Ear muffs & ear plugs 17

3. Control—cont. - Best Management Practices BMP’s are often based upon common sense, these practices are commonly used where no specific formal rule or policy is in place or the existing rules and policies do not sufficiently address the issue. Can you give an example? 18 Reasonable and prudent person.

3. Control—cont. - Best Management Practices The idea behind BMP’s is that with proper processes, checks and testing, a desired outcome can be delivered more effectively with fewer problems and unforeseen complications. What does this mean? 19 Evaluate and review

3. Control—cont. - Best Management Practices A "best" practice can evolve to become better as improvements are discovered. How does this work in welding? 20 Revise and adapt?

3. Control—cont. - Best Management Practices BMP’s can be required by law or policy. Can you give an example? 21 Outside intervention.

Safety Plan--4. Education The best safety plan in the world is useless unless the students/employees know what it contains, adopt it and follow it. What is the best method to use to communicate a safety plan? 22

Safety Plan--5. Evaluation Two types of evaluation. Personal Program Personal: evaluate how well a person has learned and follows safe practices. Program: Evaluate the effectiveness of the training program. 23

Safety Plan--6. Review Two reasons to review safety plan. 1Government standards change. 2The skills, abilities and attitudes of individuals are not consistent. 3The individuals exposed to the hazards change. 4The hazards in the workplace change. Who should be involved in the review process? A good safety plan must be reviewed constantly. 24

Safety Plan--7 - Documentation It is imperative that the teacher/supervisor keep records of safety instruction. What was taught When was it taught Who attended Documentation Multiple copies of critical records should be keep in multiple locations. 25

Examples of Specific Hazards and BMP’s for Welding HazardBMP Hot metal Wear gloves and welding apparel. Use pliers when handling hot metal. Harmful light Wear appropriate shade of lens. Keep skin covered. Flying objectsWear safety glasses with side shields. Electrical Inspect equipment before use. Keep resistance high. TrippingPractice good housekeeping. NoiseWear approved hearing protection. FumesUse forced ventilation. 26

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