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DC-400
IMA 474
WELDING, EMF & PACEMAKERS
All welders should follow safe practices that minimise their
exposure to electric and magnetic fields (EMF).
For welders wearing implanted pacemakers, safe welding
practices are particularly important and additional
procedures should be followed by those who have decided
to continue to weld. (Hopefully in keeping with a doctor’s
advice).
The following procedures will not eliminate exposure to
EMF or the possibility of arc welding having an effect on a
pacemaker, however if followed, they will significantly
reduce exposure to electric and magnetic fields. Electric
and magnetic fields are created any time electric current
flows through a conductor, however it is not clear whether
such exposure affects ones health.
Some researchers have reported that exposure to EMF
may cause leukemia or other illnesses. These claims
originally arose in relation to high voltage electric power
lines and are very much in dispute in the medical and
scientific arena, however the best advice is to minimise
your exposure to EMF to protect your health should doctors
eventually decide there is a risk.
There are four fundamental facts about EMF:
•
With direct current (DC), the field strength is relatively
constant and does not change.
•
With alternating current (AC), the field strength
constantly changes.
•
The greater the current flow, i.e. the higher the amps,
the stronger the field created by the current
•
The closer the conductor or electrical device is to the
body, the greater the exposure to the field.
Minimising exposure
All welders should use the following procedures to
minimise EMF exposure.
•
Route electrode or gun and work cables together.
Secure them with tape if possible.
•
Never coil the electrode lead around your body.
•
Do not place your body between the electrode and
work cables. If your electrode cable is on your right side
the work cable should also be on your right side.
•
Connect the work cable to the work piece as close as
possible to the area being welded. (This is also a good
practice to eliminate a common problem on welding - a
poor work connection.
•
Do not work next to the welding power source.
Welders with pacemakers
There is no question that the fields in arc welding can
interfere with a pacemakers function. Generally the
interference does not permanently damage the
pacemaker. Once the wearer leaves the arc welding
environment or stops welding, the pacemaker returns to
normal functioning. The welding arc has little or no effect on
the operation of some pacemakers, especially designs that
are bi-polar or designed to filter out such interference.
For a welder or anyone working around electrical
equipment the selection of a pacemaker is very important.
Get a doctor’s advice about which pacemaker is the least
sensitive to interference from welding while still being
medically suitable.
In addition to the normal safety precautions, the following
additional procedures should be adopted by welders with
pacemakers.
•
Use gas welding when the application is suitable.
•
Use the lowest current setting appropriate for the
application. Do not exceed 400 amps. Low current
(75-200 amps) direct current (DC) welding should be
used if arc welding is necessary. Do not TIG weld with
high frequency.
•
Do not use repeated, short welds. Wait about ten
seconds between stopping one weld and starting the
next. When having difficulty starting an electrode, do
not re-strike the rod repeatedly.
•
If you feel light headed, dizzy or faint, immediately stop
welding. Lay the electrode holder down so that it does
not contact the work and move away from any welding
being performed. Arrange your work in advance so that,
if you become dizzy and drop the electrode holder, the
electrode holder will not fall on your body or strike the
work.
•
Do not work on a ladder or other elevated position or in
a cramped, confined place.
•
Do not work alone. Work only in the presence of an
individual who understands these precautions and the
possible effect welding may have on your pacemaker.
•
Do not work near spot welding equipment.
•
If you have a pacemaker and wish to continue arc
welding, discuss this and any other questions you may
have with your physician and follow his or her advice.
The doctor may wish to contact the pacemaker
manufacturer for a recommendation. As mentioned
before, the design of the pacemaker significantly affects
the degree to which it is subject to interference from a
welding circuit. Do not rely on the fact that you know
another welder with a pacemaker who has welded for
years without experiencing a problem. That welder and
his or her pacemaker may be quite different from you
and your pacemaker.
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