These safety precautions are for protection of safety and health. Failure to follow these
guidelines may result in serious injury or death. Be careful to read and follow all cautions and
warnings. Protect yourself and others.
Welding and cutting processes produce high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can
cause severe skin burn and damage.
There are other potential hazards involved with welding
such as severe burns and respiratory related illnesses. Therefore ob-serve the following to
minimize potential accidents and injury:
Use appropriate safety glasses with wrap around shields while in the work area, even
under welding helmets to protect your eyes from flying sparks and debris.
When chip-ping
slag or grinding, goggles and face shields may be required.
When welding or cutting, always use an approved shielding device, with the correct
shade of filter installed.
Always use a welding helmet in good condition. Discard any broken
or cracked filters or helmets. Using broken or cracked filters or helmets can cause severe eye
injury and burn. Filter shades of no less than shade 5 for cutting and no less than shade 9 for
welding are highly recommended. Shades greater than 9 may be required for high amperage
welds. Keep filter lenses clean and clear for maxi-mum visibility. It is also advisable to consult with your eye
doctor should you wear contacts for corrective vision before you wear them while welding.
Do not allow personnel to watch or observe the welding or cutting operation unless fully
protected by a filter screen, protective curtains or equivalent
.protective equip-ment. If no
protection is available, exclude them from the work area. Even brief expo-sure to the rays from
the welding arc can damage unprotected eyes.
Always wear hearing protection because welding and cutting can be extremely noisy.
E
ar protection is necessary to prevent hearing loss. Even prolonged low levels of noise has
been known to create long term hearing damage. Hearing protection also further protects
against hot sparks and debris from entering the ear canal and doing harm.
Always wear personal protective clothing.
Flame proof clothing is required at all times.
Sparks and hot metal can lodge in pockets, hems and cuffs. Make sure loose clothing is tucked
in neatly. Leather aprons and jackets are recommended. Suitable welding jackets and coats
may be purchased made from fire proof material from welding supply stores. Discard any
burned or frayed clothing. Keep clothing away from oil, grease and flammable liquids.
Leather boots or steel toed leather boots with rubber bottoms are required for ade-quate
foot protection.
Canvas, polyester and other man made materials often found in shoes will
either burn or melt. Rubber or other non conductive soles are necessary to help protect from
electrical shock.
Flame proof and insulated gauntlet gloves are required whether welding or cutting or
handling metal.
Simple work gloves for the garden or chore work are not sufficient. Gauntlet
type welding gloves are available from your local welding supply companies. Never attempt to
weld with out gloves. Welding with out gloves can result in serious burns and electrical shock.
If your hand or body parts comes into contact with the arc of a plasma cutter or welder, instant
and serious burns will occur.
Proper hand protection is required at all times when working
with welding or cutting machines!
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
