5
©
2009
MIDWEST FASTENERS, INC.
— SureShot Welding System
WELDING CAN CAUSE FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS -
Welding on closed containers, such as tanks, drums or pipes, can
cause them to blow up. Sparks can fly off from the welding arc.
The flying sparks, hot work piece, and hot equipment can cause
fires and burns. Accidental contact of electrode to metal objects
can cause sparks, explosion, overheating or fire. Check and be
sure the area is safe before doing any welding. Therefore:
1) Protect yourself and others from flying sparks and hot metal.
2) Do not weld where flying sparks can strike flammable material.
3) Remove all combustible materials a minimum of 35 ft. away from the welding
arc or cover the materials with a protective nonflammable covering. Combusti-
ble materials include wood, cloth, sawdust, liquid and gas fuels, solvents, paints
and coatings, paper, etc.
4) Hot sparks or hot metal can fall through cracks or crevices in floors or wall
openings and cause a hidden smoldering fire or fires on the floor below. Make
certain that such openings are protected from hot sparks and metal.
5) Do not weld, cut, or perform other hot work until the work piece has been
completely cleaned so that there are no substances on the work piece which
might produce flammable or toxic vapors.
6) Be aware that welding on a ceiling, floor, bulkhead or partition can cause fire
on the hidden side.
7) Do not weld on closed containers such as tanks, drums or pipes unless they are
properly prepared according to AWS F4.1.
8) Connect work cable to the work as close to the welding area as practical to
prevent welding current from traveling long, possibly unknown paths and caus-
ing electric shock and fire hazards.
9) Do not use welder to thaw frozen pipes.
10) Remove electrode (weld stud) from the stud weld gun when not in use.
11) Remove any combustibles, such as a butane lighter or matches from your
person before doing any welding.
12) Have appropriate fire extinguishing equipment handy for instant use, such as a
garden hose, water pail, sand bucket or portable fire extinguisher. Be sure you
are trained for proper use.
FUMES AND GASES -
Welding produces fumes and gases. Breathing these fumes and
gases can be hazardous to your health, particularly in confined
spaces. Do not breathe fumes and gases. Shielding gases can
cause asphyxiation. Therefore:
1) Keep your head out of the fumes. Do not breathe the fumes.
2) If inside, ventilate the area and/or use exhaust at the arc to remove welding
fumes and gases.
3) If ventilation is poor, use an approved air-supplied respirator.
4) Read the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and the manufacturer’s
instructions for metals, consumables, coatings, cleaners and degreasers.
5) Work in a confined space only if it is well ventilated, or while wearing an air-
supplied respirator. Always have a trained watch-person nearby. Welding fumes
and gases can displace air and lower the oxygen level causing injury or death.
Be sure the breathing air is safe.
6) Don’t weld in locations near degreasing, cleaning or spraying operations. The
heat & rays of an arc can react with vapors to form highly toxic & irritating
gases.
7) Don’t weld on coated metals, such as galvanized, lead or cadmium plated steel,
unless the coating is removed from the weld area, the area is well ventilated,
and if necessary, while wearing an air-supplied respirator. The coatings and any
metals containing these elements can give off toxic fumes if welded.
8) Do not weld, cut, or gouge on materials such as galvanized steel, stainless steel,
copper, zinc, lead, beryllium or cadmium unless positive mechanical ventilation
is provided. Do not breathe fumes from these materials.
9) If your develop momentary eye, nose, or throat irritation while operating, this
is an indication that ventilation is not adequate. Stop work and take necessary
steps to improve ventilation in the work areas. Do not continue to operate if
physical discomfort persists.
10) Refer to ANSI/ASC Standard Z49.1 for specific ventilation recommendations.
CYLINDER HANDLING -
Shielding gas cylinders contain gas under high pressure. If dam-
aged or mishandled a cylinder can explode and violently release
gas. Sudden rupture of cylinder, valve, or relief device can injure
or kill. Since gas cylinders are normally part of the welding pro-
cess, be sure to treat them carefully. Therefore:
1)
Protect compressed gas cylinders from excessive heat, mechanical shocks,
slag, open flames, sparks and arcs.
2)
Keep cylinders away from any welding or other electrical circuits.
3)
Never drape a welding gun over a gas cylinder.
4)
Never allow a welding electrode (weld stud) to touch any cylinder.
1)
Use the proper gas for the process and use the proper pressure reducing
regulator, hoses and fittings designed to operate from the specific compressed
gas cylinder. Do not use adaptors. Maintain hoses and fittings and other
associated parts in good condition.
2)
Always secure cylinders in an upright position by chain or strap to suitable
hand trucks, undercarriages, benches, walls, post, or racks. Never secure
cylinders to work tables or fixtures where they may become part of an
electrical circuit.
3)
When not in use, keep cylinder valves closed. Have valve protection cap
in place if regulator is not connected. Secure and move cylinders by using
suitable hand trucks. Avoid rough handling of cylinders.
4)
Locate cylinders away from heat, sparks, and flames. Never strike an arc or
weld on a cylinder; it will explode.
6)
Turn face away from valve outlet when opening cylinder valve.
5)
For additional information, refer to CGA Standard P-1, “Precautions for
Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in Cylinders”, which is available from
Compressed Gas Association, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA
22202.
NOISE CAN DAMAGE HEARING -
Noise from some processes or equipment can damage hearing.
Therefore:
1) Wear approved ear protection if noise level is high.
FIRE OR EXPLOSION HAZARD -
1) Do not install or place unit on, over, or near combustible
surfaces.
2) Do not install unit near flammables.
3) Do not overload electrical wiring - be sure power supply
system is properly sized, rated and protected to handle the
unit.
13) Do not use equipment beyond its ratings. For example, overloaded welding
cable can overheat and create a fire hazard.
14) After completing operations, inspect the work area to make certain there are
no hot sparks or hot metal which could cause a later fire. Use fire watchers
when necessary.
15) For additional information, refer to NFPA Standard 51B, “Fire Prevention
in Use of Cutting and Welding Processes,” available from the National Fire
Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.
