05 May Arc Welding Safety

Arc Welding Safety

Arc welding uses an intense electric arc to join, cut, or repair metal. The process creates several serious hazards, including electric shock, intense ultraviolet and infrared radiation, hot metal, sparks, fire, explosion, fumes, and gases. Welders should understand these hazards and use the proper equipment, ventilation, and PPE for every job.

Electrical Safety

Arc welding equipment uses enough electrical energy to cause serious or fatal shock. Equipment should be properly installed, grounded, maintained, and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Before welding:

• Inspect electrode holders, cables, connectors, and insulation for damage.
• Keep cables away from sharp edges, hot metal, water, and vehicle traffic.
• Do not use damaged welding leads or equipment.
• Keep yourself and your clothing as dry as practical.
• Use additional precautions when welding in damp, wet, confined, or highly conductive locations.
• Disconnect and control energy before servicing or repairing welding equipment.

Engine-driven welders should be operated where exhaust cannot accumulate. Shut the engine off before refueling and keep fuel away from sparks, flames, and hot surfaces.

Protect Your Eyes and Body

The welding arc produces intense light and radiation capable of causing arc eye, skin burns, and permanent eye damage. Sparks, molten metal, and hot slag create additional burn hazards.

Wear appropriate protection, including:

• A welding helmet with the correct filter shade for the welding operation.
• Safety glasses with side shields underneath the welding helmet.
• Flame-resistant welding clothing that covers exposed skin.
• Leather welding gloves or gauntlets.
• Appropriate safety footwear.
• Hearing protection when noise or sparks entering the ears are hazards.

Keep clothing free of oil, grease, and other flammable materials. Avoid cuffs, open pockets, or other places where sparks and hot metal can collect.

Use welding curtains, screens, or barriers to protect nearby employees from arc radiation and flying sparks.

Prevent Fires and Explosions

Welding can produce sparks and molten metal that travel beyond the immediate work area and ignite combustible materials.

Before welding:

• Remove or protect combustible and flammable materials.
• Inspect areas above, below, and on the opposite side of walls or partitions for hidden fire hazards.
• Keep appropriate fire-extinguishing equipment readily available.
• Use a hot-work permit and fire watch when required.
• Continue fire monitoring after welding when required by the applicable hot-work procedure.

Never weld on drums, tanks, containers, piping, or other equipment that may contain flammable or hazardous residues until they have been properly cleaned, prepared, and determined safe for hot work.

Welding Fumes and Ventilation

Welding fumes and gases can contain hazardous substances depending on the base metal, coatings, electrodes, fluxes, and welding process. Painted, plated, galvanized, or otherwise coated metals may create particularly hazardous fumes.

Use adequate general or local exhaust ventilation to keep fumes away from the breathing zone. Remove hazardous coatings when appropriate and safe to do so.

Respiratory protection may be necessary when ventilation and other controls cannot adequately control exposure. Respirators must be properly selected for the specific contaminant and used in accordance with an applicable respiratory protection program.

Never weld in a confined or enclosed space without evaluating the atmosphere and following applicable confined-space and ventilation requirements.

Remember

Arc welding combines electricity, extreme heat, radiation, fumes, and fire hazards. Inspect your equipment, wear proper welding PPE, provide adequate ventilation, control combustibles, protect nearby workers, and follow established hot-work procedures every time.