OM-186895 Page 2
Welding produces fumes and gases. Breathing
these fumes and gases can be hazardous to your
health.
FUMES AND GASES can be hazardous.
DKeep your head out of the fumes. Do not breathe the fumes.
DIf inside, ventilate the area and/or use local forced ventilation at the
arc to remove welding fumes and gases. The recommended way
to determine adequate ventilation is to sample for the composition
and quantity of fumes and gases to which personnel are exposed.
DIf ventilation is poor, wear an approved air-supplied respirator.
DRead and understand the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and the
manufacturer’s instructions for adhesives, coatings, cleaners,
consumables,coolants, degreasers, fluxes, and metals.
DWork in a confined space only if it is well ventilated, or while
wearingan air-supplied respirator. Always have a trained watch-
person nearby. Welding fumes and gases can displace air and
lowerthe oxygen level causing injury or death. Be sure the breath-
ing air is safe.
DDo not weld in locations near degreasing, cleaning, or spraying op-
erations. The heat and rays of the arc can react with vapors to form
highly toxic and irritating gases.
DDo not weld on coated metals, such as galvanized, lead, or
cadmiumplated steel, unless the coating is removed from the weld
area,the area is well ventilated, and while wearing an air-supplied
respirator. The coatings and any metals containing these elements
can give off toxic fumes if welded.
Arc rays from the welding process produce intense
visible and invisible (ultraviolet and infrared) rays
that can burn eyes and skin. Sparks fly off from the
weld.
DWear an approved welding helmet fitted with a proper shade of
filter lenses to protect your face and eyes from arc rays and
sparks when welding or watching (see ANSI Z49.1 and Z87.1
listed in Safety Standards).
DWear approved safety glasses with side shields under your
helmet.
DUse protective screens or barriers to protect others from flash,
glare and sparks; warn others not to watch the arc.
DWear body protection made from durable, flame−resistant mate-
rial (leather, heavy cotton, wool). Body protection includes
oil-free clothing such as leather gloves, heavy shirt, cuffless
trousers, high shoes, and a cap.
ARC RAYS can burn eyes and skin.
Welding on closed containers, such as tanks,
drums,or pipes, can cause them to blow up. Sparks
can fly off from the welding arc. The flying sparks, hot
workpiece,and hot equipment can cause fires and
burns. Accidental contact of electrode to metal objects can cause
sparks, explosion, overheating, or fire. Check and be sure the area is
safe before doing any welding.
WELDING can cause fire or explosion.
DRemove all flammables within 35 ft (10.7 m) of the welding arc. If
this is not possible, tightly cover them with approved covers.
DDo not weld where flying sparks can strike flammable material.
DProtect yourself and others from flying sparks and hot metal.
DBe alert that welding sparks and hot materials from welding can
easily go through small cracks and openings to adjacent areas.
DWatch for fire, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
DBe aware that welding on a ceiling, floor, bulkhead, or partition can
cause fire on the hidden side.
DDo not weld on containers that have held combustibles, or on
closed containers such as tanks, drums, or pipes unless they are
properly prepared according to AWS F4.1 and AWS A6.0 (see
Safety Standards).
DDo not weld where the atmosphere can contain flammable dust,
gas, or liquid vapors (such as gasoline).
DConnect work cable to the work as close to the welding area as
practical to prevent welding current from traveling long, possibly
unknown paths and causing electric shock, sparks, and fire
hazards.
DDo not use welder to thaw frozen pipes.
DRemove stick electrode from holder or cut off welding wire at
contact tip when not in use.
DWear body protection made from durable, flame−resistant material
(leather, heavy cotton, wool). Body protection includes oil-free
clothingsuch as leather gloves, heavy shirt, cuffless trousers, high
shoes, and a cap.
DRemove any combustibles, such as a butane lighter or matches,
from your person before doing any welding.
DAftercompletion of work, inspect area to ensure it is free of sparks,
glowingembers, and flames.
DUse only correct fuses or circuit breakers. Do not oversize or by-
pass them.
DFollowrequirements in OSHA 1910.252 (a) (2) (iv) and NFPA 51B
for hot work and have a fire watcher and extinguisher nearby.
DRead and understand the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and the
manufacturer’s instructions for adhesives, coatings, cleaners,
consumables,coolants, degreasers, fluxes, and metals.
FLYING METAL or DIRT can injure eyes.
DWelding, chipping, wire brushing, and grinding
cause sparks and flying metal. As welds cool,
they can throw off slag.
DWear approved safety glasses with side
shields even under your welding helmet.
BUILDUP OF GAS can injure or kill.
DShutoff compressed gas supply when not in use.
DAlways ventilate confined spaces or use
approvedair-supplied respirator.
ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS (EM
can affect Implanted Medical Devices.
DWearers of Pacemakers and other Implante
MedicalDevices should keep away.
DImplantedMedical Device wearers should consult their docto
and the device manufacturer before going near arc welding, spo
welding,gouging, plasma arc cutting, or induction heating
operations.
Noise from some processes or equipment can
damagehearing.
DWear approved ear protection if noise lev-
el is high.
NOISE can damage hearing.
Compressedgas cylinders contain gas under high
pressure.If damaged, a cylinder can explode. Since
gas cylinders are normally part of the welding
process, be sure to treat them carefully.
CYLINDERS can explode if damaged.
DProtect compressed gas cylinders from excessive heat, mechani-
cal shocks, physical damage, slag, open flames, sparks, and arcs.
DInstall cylinders in an upright position by securing to a stationary
support or cylinder rack to prevent falling or tipping.
DKeepcylinders away from any welding or other electrical circuits.
DNever drape a welding torch over a gas cylinder.
DNever allow a welding electrode to touch any cylinder.
DNever weld on a pressurized cylinder − explosion will result.
DUse only correct compressed gas cylinders, regulators, hoses,
and fittings designed for the specific application; maintain them
and associated parts in good condition.
DTurn face away from valve outlet when opening cylinder valve. Do
not stand in front of or behind the regulator when opening the valve.
DKeepprotective cap in place over valve except when cylinder is in
use or connected for use.
DUse the right equipment, correct procedures, and sufficientnum-
ber of persons to lift and move cylinders.
DRead and follow instructions on compressed gas cylinders,
associatedequipment, and Compressed Gas Association (CGA)
publication P-1 listed in Safety Standards.
