Firepower FP-38 Operating Manual Download Page 6

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GENERAL INFORMATION

1-2

May 14, 2002

• Wear dry gloves and clothing. Insulate yourself

from the work piece or other parts of the welding
circuit.

• Repair or replace all worn or damaged parts.

• Extra care must be taken when the workplace is

moist or damp.

• Install and maintain equipment according to NEC

code, refer to item 9 in Subsection 1.03, Publications.

• Disconnect power source before performing any ser-

vice or repairs.

• Read and follow all the instructions in the Operat-

ing Manual.

FIRE AND EXPLOSION

Fire and explosion can be caused by hot slag, sparks, or
the plasma arc.

• Be sure there is no combustible or flammable mate-

rial in the workplace. Any material that cannot be
removed must be protected.

• Ventilate all flammable or explosive vapors from

the workplace.

• Do not cut or weld on containers that may have held

combustibles.

• Provide a fire watch when working in an area where

fire hazards may exist.

• Hydrogen gas may be formed and trapped under

aluminum workpieces when they are cut underwa-
ter or while using a water table. DO NOT cut alu-
minum alloys underwater or on a water table un-
less the hydrogen gas can be eliminated or
dissipated. Trapped hydrogen gas that is ignited
will cause an explosion.

NOISE

Noise can cause permanent hearing loss. Plasma arc pro-
cesses can cause noise levels to exceed safe limits. You
must protect your ears from loud noise to prevent per-
manent loss of hearing.

• To protect your hearing from loud noise, wear pro-

tective ear plugs and/or ear muffs. Protect others
in the workplace.

• Noise levels should be measured to be sure the deci-

bels (sound) do not exceed safe levels.

• For information on how to test for noise, see item 1

in Subsection 1.03, Publications, in this manual.

PLASMA ARC RAYS

Plasma Arc Rays can injure your eyes and burn your skin.
The plasma arc process produces very bright ultra violet
and infra red light. These arc rays will damage your eyes
and burn your skin if you are not properly protected.

• To protect your eyes, always wear a welding hel-

met or shield. Also always wear safety glasses with
side shields, goggles or other protective eye wear.

• Wear welding gloves and suitable clothing to pro-

tect your skin from the arc rays and sparks.

• Keep helmet and safety glasses in good condition.

Replace lenses when cracked, chipped or dirty.

• Protect others in the work area from the arc rays.

Use protective booths, screens or shields.

• Use the shade of lens as suggested in the following

per ANSI/ASC Z49.1:

Minimum Protective

Suggested

Arc Current

Shade No.

Less Than 300*

300 - 400*

400 - 800*

* These values apply where the actual arc is clearly
seen. Experience has shown that lighter filters may
be used when the arc is hidden by the workpiece.

1.03 Publications

Refer to the following standards or their latest revisions
for more information:

1. OSHA, SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS, 29CFR

1910, obtainable from the Superintendent of Documents,
U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
20402

2. ANSI Standard Z49.1, SAFETY IN WELDING AND

CUTTING, obtainable from the American Welding So-
ciety, 550 N.W. LeJeune Rd, Miami, FL 33126

3. NIOSH, SAFETY AND HEALTH IN ARC WELDING

AND GAS WELDING AND CUTTING, obtainable from
the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402

4. ANSI Standard Z87.1, SAFE PRACTICES FOR OCCU-

PATION AND EDUCATIONAL EYE AND FACE PRO-
TECTION, obtainable from American National Stan-
dards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018

5. ANSI Standard Z41.1, STANDARD FOR MEN’S

SAFETY-TOE FOOTWEAR, obtainable from the Ameri-
can National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New
York, NY 10018