OM-2219 Page 4
1-4.
Principal Safety Standards
Safety in Welding and Cutting, ANSI Standard Z49.1, from American
Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Rd, Miami FL 33126
Safety and Health Standards, OSHA 29 CFR 1910, from Superinten-
dent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
20402.
Recommended Practices for Plasma Arc Cutting, American Welding
Society Standard AWS C5.2, from American Welding Society, 550 N.W.
LeJeune Rd, Miami, FL 33126
Recommended Safe Practices for the Preparation for Welding and Cut-
ting of Containers That Have Held Hazardous Substances, American
Welding Society Standard AWS F4.1, from American Welding Society,
550 N.W. LeJeune Rd, Miami, FL 33126
National Electrical Code, NFPA Standard 70, from National Fire Protec-
tion Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.
Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in Cylinders, CGA Pamphlet P-1,
from Compressed Gas Association, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway,
Suite 501, Arlington, VA 22202.
Code for Safety in Welding and Cutting, CSA Standard W117.2, from
Canadian Standards Association, Standards Sales, 178 Rexdale Bou-
levard, Rexdale, Ontario, Canada M9W 1R3.
Safe Practices For Occupation And Educational Eye And Face Protec-
tion, ANSI Standard Z87.1, from American National Standards Institute,
1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.
Cutting And Welding Processes, NFPA Standard 51B, from National
Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.
1-5.
EMF Information
Considerations About Welding Or Cutting And The Effects Of Low
Frequency Electric And Magnetic Fields
Welding or cutting current, as it flows through the welding or cutting
cables, will cause electromagnetic fields. There has been and still is
some concern about such fields. However, after examining more than
500 studies spanning 17 years of research, a special blue ribbon
committee of the National Research Council concluded that: “The body
of evidence, in the committee’s judgment, has not demonstrated that
exposure to power-frequency electric and magnetic fields is a human-
health hazard.” However, studies are still going forth and evidence
continues to be examined. Until the final conclusions of the research are
reached, you may wish to minimize your exposure to electromagnetic
fields when welding or cutting.
To reduce magnetic fields in the workplace, use the following proce-
dures:
1.
Keep cables close together by twisting or taping them.
2.
Arrange cables to one side and away from the operator.
3.
Do not coil or drape cables around your body.
4.
Keep cutting power source and cables as far away from operator
as practical.
5.
Connect work clamp to workpiece as close to the cut as possi-
ble.
About Pacemakers:
Pacemaker wearers consult your doctor first. If cleared by your doctor,
then following the above procedures is recommended.
