Hot Work Procedures Hot work may include spark and high heat-producing job tasks such as grinding, welding, soldering, thermal or oxygen cutting or heating. Advanced planning and safe work procedures help prevent workplace fires caused by hot work activities. Get training on hot works tools and processes. Know how to assess the fire risk, prevent fire, extinguish a fire, and activate an emergency response. If you are a designated fire watch, get annual training on these procedures. Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment for hot work, including tinted eye protection and a face shield. Wear fire-retardant clothing and a welding vest and...

Welding On Galvanized Metals One of the most significant health hazards in the welding process is the generation of fumes and gasses. Do you weld on galvanized metals? Zinc is the coating used on galvanized metals, and when you heat the metal, it produces vaporized metal droplets which are called fumes. This is the smoky haze which consists of fine particles of metals or silicates. When you breathe these fumes, they may work deeply into your lungs. The typical effect of breathing zinc fumes is metal fume fever. One or two hours or more after welding-without proper personal protection-you may experience severe...