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- Connect ground lead as close to the area being cut as possible to ensure a good ground.
- Do not allow any body part to come in contact with the material being cut, or to the ground or
electrode from another plasma cutter or welder.
- Do not cut if you are in an awkward position. Always have a secure stance while cutting to prevent
accidents. Wear a safety harness if working above ground.
- Do not drape cables over or around your body.
- Wear eye protection (see ANSI Z49.1 safety standard) while cutting to protect your eyes from
harmful UV and IR ray’s.
- Wear proper gloves and protective clothing to prevent your skin from being exposed to hot metals,
UV and IR rays.
- Do not overuse or overheat your plasma cutter. Allow proper cooling time between duty cycles.
- Keep hands and fingers away from moving parts.
- Do not point the Plasma torch at any body part or at anyone else.
- Always use this plasma cutter in the rated duty cycle to prevent excessive heat and failure.
1.4 Specific Areas of Danger, Caution or Warning
Electrical Shock
Plasma cutters can produce a shock that can cause injury or death. Touching
electrically live parts can cause fatal shocks and severe burns. While cutting, all metal
components connected to the wire are electrically hot. Poor ground connections are a hazard, so
secure the ground lead before cutting.
- Wear dry protective apparel: coat, shirt, gloves and insulated footwear.
- Insulate yourself from the work piece. Avoid contacting the work piece or ground.
- Do not attempt to repair or maintain the plasma cutter while the power is on.
- Inspect all cables and cords for any exposed wire and replace damaged or wore
cables immediately.
- Use recommended replacement cables and cords.
- Always attach the ground clamp to the work piece or work table as close to the cutting area
as possible.
- Do not touch the torch and the ground or grounded work piece at the same time.
Fumes and Gases
- Fumes emitted from the plasma cutting process displace clean air and can result in injury
or death.
- Do not breathe in fumes emitted by the plasma cutting process. Make sure your breathing air is
clean and safe.
- Work only in a well-ventilated area or use a ventilation device to remove plasma cutting fumes
from the environment where you will be working.
- Do not plasma cut on coated materials (galvanized, cadmium plated or containing zinc, mercury or
barium). They will emit harmful fumes that are dangerous to breathe. If necessary use a ventilator,
respirator with air supply or remove the coating from the material in the area to be cut.
- The fumes emitted from some metals when heated are extremely toxic. Refer to the material
safety data sheet for the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Do not weld/cut near materials that will emit toxic fumes when heated. Vapors from cleaners,
sprays and degreasers can be highly toxic when heated.
