ii
SAFETY
ii
2.a. The electrode and work (or ground) circuits are
electrically
“hot” when the welder is on. Do not touch
these “hot” parts with your bare skin or wet clothing.
Wear dry, hole-free gloves to insulate hands.
2.b. Insulate yourself from work and ground using dry insula-
tion. Make certain the insulation is large enough to cover
your full area of physical contact with work and ground.
In addition to the normal safety precautions, if
welding must be performed under electrically
hazardous conditions (in damp locations or while
wearing wet clothing; on metal structures such as
floors, gratings or scaffolds; when in cramped
positions such as sitting, kneeling or lying, if there
is a high risk of unavoidable or accidental contact
with the workpiece or ground) use the following
equipment:
Semiautomatic DC Constant Voltage Wire
Welder.
DC Manual (Stick) Welder.
AC Welder with Reduced Voltage Control.
2.c. In semiautomatic or automatic wire welding, the electrode
electrode reel, welding head, nozzle or semiautomatic
welding gun are also electrically “hot”.
2.d. Always be sure the work cable makes a good electrical
connection with the metal being welded. The connection
should be as close as possible to the area being welded.
2.e. Ground the work or metal to be welded to a good electri-
cal (earth) ground.
2.f. Maintain the electrode holder, work clamp, welding cable
and welding machine in good, safe operating condition.
Replace damaged insulation.
2.g. Never dip the electrode in water for cooling.
2
.h. Never simultaneously touch electrically “hot” parts of
electrode holders connected to two welders because
voltage between the two can be the total of the open
circuit voltage of both welders.
2.i. When working above floor level, use a safety belt to
protect yourself from a fall should you get a shock.
2.j. Also see items 5.c. and 8.
3.a. Use a shield with the proper filter and cover plates to
protect your eyes from sparks and the rays of the arc
welding or observing open arc welding.
The headshield and filter lens should conform to ANSI
Z87.I standards.
3.b. Use suitable clothing made from durable flame-resistant
material to protect your skin and that of your helpers from
the arc rays.
3.c. Protect other nearby personnel with suitable, non-
flammable screening and/or warn them not to watch
the arc nor expose themselves to the arc rays or to hot
spatter or metal.
4.a. Welding may produce fumes and gases hazardous to
health. Avoid breathing these fumes and gases. When
welding, keep your head out of the fume. Use enough
ventilation and/or exhaust at the arc to keep fumes and
gases away from the breathing zone.
When welding with electrodes which require special
ventilation such as stainless or hard facing (see
instructions on container or MSDS) or on lead or
cadmium plated steel and other metals or coatings
which produce highly toxic fumes, keep exposure as
low as possible and below Threshold Limit Values
(TLV) using local exhaust or mechanical ventilation. In
confined spaces or in some circumstances, outdoors,
a respirator may be required. Additional precautions
are also required when welding on galvanized steel.
4.b. Do not weld in locations near chlorinated hydrocarbon
vapors coming from degreasing, cleaning or spraying
operations. The heat and rays of the arc can react with
solvent vapors to form phosgene, a highly toxic gas, and
other irritating products.
4.c. Shielding gases used for arc welding can displace air
and cause injury or death. Always use enough ventila-
tion, especially in confined areas, to insure breathing air
is safe.
4.d. Read and understand the
manufacturer’s instruction for
this equipment and the consumables to be used,
including the material safety data sheet (MSDS) and
follow your employer’s safety practices. MSDS forms are
available from your welding distributor or from the
manufacturer.
ELECTRIC SHOCK
can kill.
ARC RAYS can burn.
FUMES AND GASES
can be dangerous.