10
•
Always check the work area half an hour after welding so
as to make sure that no fire has started.
•
Do not keep any combustible material such as lighters or
matches in your pockets.
5.2 Burns
•
Wear fire-proof clothing all over your body in order to
protect your skin against burns caused by ultra-violet
radiation given off by the arc, and from weld metal sparks
and slag.
•
Wear protective colthing-gauntlet gloves designed for use
in welding, hat and high safety-toe shoes. Button shirt collar
and pocket flaps, and wear cuff-less trousers to avoid entry
of sparks and slag.
•
Wear helmet with safety goggles and glasses with side
shields underneath, appropriate filter lenses or plates
(protected by clear cover glass). This is a must for welding
or cutting, (and chipping) to protect the eyes from radiant
energy and flying metal. Replace cover glass when broken,
pitted, or spattered.
•
Avoid oil or greasy clothing. A spark may ignite them.
Hot metal such as electrode stubs and workpieces should
never be handled without gloves.
•
First-aid facilities and a qualified first-aid person should
be available for each shift unless medical facilities are close
by for immediate treatment of flash burns of the eyes and
skin burns.
•
Ear plugs should be worn when working on overhead or
in a confined space. A hard hat should be worn when
others work overhead.
•
Flammable hair preparations should not be used by
persons intending to weld.
5.3 Fumes
Welding operations give off harmful fumes and
metal dusts which may be hazardous to your
health, therefore:
•
Work in a well-ventilated area.
•
Keep your head out of fumes.
•
In closed areas, use suitable exhaust fans, placed under
the welding area of possible.
•
If ventilation is not enough, use breathing sets approved
for this procedure.
•
Clean the material to be welded of any solvents or halogen
degreasers giving rise to toxic gases. Some clorine
solvents may decompose with the radiation emitted by
the arc, and create phosgene gas.
•
Do not weld plated metals or those containing lead,
graphite, cadmium, zink, chrome, quicksilver or mercury,
unless you have the proper breathing set.
•
The electric arc creates ozone. A long exposure to high
concentrations may cause headaches, nasal, throat and
eye irritation as well as serious congestions and chest
pains.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT USE OXYGEN FOR VENTILA-
TION.
•
Gas leaks in a confined space should be avoided. Leaked
gas in large quantities can change oxygen concentration
dangerously. Do not bring gas cylinders into a confined
space.
•
DO NOT WELD where solvent vapors can be drawn into
the welding atmosphere or where the radiant energy can
penetrate to atmospheres containing even minute amounts
of trichloroethylene or perchloroethylene.
5.4 Explosions
•
Do not weld above or near containers under
pressure.
•
Do not weld in environments containing
explosive dusts, gases or vapours.
This welding machine is used for TIG welding and uses
ARGON gas for the protection of the arc, thus you should
take special precautions:
A)
CYLINDERS
•
NEVER DEFACE or alter name, number, or other mar-
kings on a cylinder. It is illegal and hazardess.
•
Do not use cylinders whose contents have not been
clearly identified.
•
Do not directly connect cylinder to reducing unit without
a pressure regulator.
•
Handle or use pressure cylinders in conformity with the
existing rules.
•
Do not use leaking or damaged cylinders.
•
Do not use cylinders which are not well secured.
•
Do not carry cylinders without the protection of the installed
valve.
•
Do not lift cylinders off the ground by ther valves or caps,
or by chains, slings or magnets.
•
Never try to mix any gases in the cylinder.
•
Never refill any cylinder.
•
Never lubricate cylinder valves with oil or grease.
•
Do not put the cylinder in electrical contact with the arc.
•
Do not expose cylinders to excessive heat, sparks, molten
slags or flames.
•
Do not tamper with cylinder valves.
•
Do not try to loosen tight valves by means of hammers,
keys, or any other object.
B)
PRESSURE REGULATORS
•
Keep pressure regulators in good condition. Damaged
regulators may cause damages or accidents, they should
only be repaired by skilled personnel.
•
Do not use regulators for gases other than those for which
they are manufactured.
•
Never use a leaking or damaged regulator.
•
Never lubricate regulators with oil or grease.
C)
HOSES
•
Replace hoses which appear damaged.
•
Keep hoses unwound in order to avoid bending.
•
Keep the excess hose wound and out of the working area
in order to avoid any damage.
•
Cylinder fittings should never be modified or exchanged.
5.5 Radiation
Ultra-violet radiation created by the arc may
damage your eyes and burn you skin. Therefore:
•
Wear proper clothing and helmet.
•
Do not use contact lenses!! The intense heat coming from
the arc may cause them to stick to the cornea.
•
Use masks with grade DIN 10 safety lenses at the least.
•
Protect people in the surrounding welding area.
Remember: the arc may dazzle or damage the eyes. It
is considered dangerous up to a distance of 15 meters
(50 feet). Never look at the arc with the naked eye.
•
Prepare the welding area so as to reduce reflection and
transmission of ultra-violet radiation: paint walls and expo-
sed surfaces in black to reduce reflection, install
sheathings or curtains to reduce ultra-violet transmissions.
•
Replace mask lenses whenever damaged or broken.
5.6 Electric shock
Electric shock can kill.All electric shocks are poten-
tially fatal.
•
Do not touch live parts.
•
Insulate yourself from the piece to be welded and
