Do not weld on coated metals, unless the coating is
removed from the weld area, the area is well ventilated, and
while wearing an air-supplied respirator. The coatings on
many metals can give o
ff
toxic fumes if welded.
Prevention against burns and radiation
Arc rays from the welding process produce intense, visible
and invisible (ultraviolet and infrared) rays that can burn eyes
and skin.
Wear an approved welding helmet fitted with a proper shade
of filter lens to protect your face and eyes when welding or
watching
Wear approved safety glasses with side shields under your
helmet.
Never use broken or faulty welding helmets.
Always ensure there are adequate protective screens or
barriers to protect others from flash, glare and sparks from
the welding area. Ensure that there are adequate warnings
that welding or cutting is taking place.
Wear suitable protective flame resistant clothing.
The sparks and spatter from welding, hot work pieces, and
hot equipment can cause fires and burns
Welding on closed containers, such as tanks, drums, or
pipes, can cause them to explode.
Accidental contact of electrode to metal objects can cause
arcs, explosion, overheating, or fire.
Check and be sure the area is safe and clear of inflammable
material before carrying out any welding.
Protection against noise
Some welding and cutting operations may produce noise.
Wear safety ear protection to protect your hearing.
Protection from moving parts
When the machine is in operation keep away from moving
parts such as motors and fans. Moving parts, such as the
fan, may cut fingers and hands and snag garments.
Protections and coverings may be removed for maintenance
and controls only by qualified personnel, after first
disconnecting the power supply cable.
Replace the coverings and protections and close all doors
when the intervention is finished, and before starting the
equipment.
Take care to avoid getting fingers trapped when loading and
feeding wire during set up and operation.
When feeding wire be careful to avoid pointing it at other
people or toward your body.
Always ensure machine covers and protective devices are in
operation.
Precautions against fire and explosion
Avoid causing fires due to sparks and hot waste or molten
metal
Ensure that appropriate fire safety devices are available near
the cutting / welding area.
Remove all flammable and combustible materials from the
cutting / welding zone and surrounding areas
Do not cut/weld fuel and lubricant containers, even if empty.
These must be carefully cleaned before they can be cut/
welded.
Always allow the cut/welded material to cool before touching
it or placing it in contact with combustible or flammable
material.
Do not work in atmospheres with high concentrations of
combustible fumes, flammable gases and dust.
Always check the work area half an hour after cutting to
make sure that no fires have begun.
Risks due to magnetic fields
The magnetic fields created by high currents may a
ff
ect the
operation of pacemakers or electronically controlled medical
equipment.
Wearers of vital electronic equipment should consult their
physician before beginning any arc welding, cutting, gouging
or spot welding operations.
Do not go near welding equipment with any sensitive
electronic equipment as the magnetic fields may cause
damage.
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