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PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS FROM POSSIBLE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. KEEP CHILDREN
AWAY. PACEMAKER WEARERS SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR DOCTOR BEFORE OPERATING.
Read and understand the following safety highlights. For additional safety information it is strongly recommended that you pur-
chase a copy of “Safety in Welding & Cutting - ANSI Standard Z49.1” from the American Welding Society, P.O. Box 351040,
Miami, Florida 33135 or CSA Standard W117.2.
BE SURE THAT ALL INSTALLATION, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIR PROCEDURES ARE
PERFORMED ONLY BY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS.
CUTTING SPARKS can
cause fire or explosion.
4.a..Remove fire hazards from the plasma cut-
ting or gouging area. If this is not possible,
cover them to prevent the cutting or gouging
sparks from starting a fire. Remember that
welding sparks and hot materials from plasma cutting or
gouging can easily go through small cracks and openings to
adjacent areas. Avoid cutting or gouging near hydraulic lines.
Have a fire extinguisher readily available.
4.b. Where compressed gases are to be used at the job site, spe-
cial precautions should be used to prevent hazardous situa-
tions. Refer to “Safety in Welding and Cutting” (ANSI
Standard Z49.1) and the operating information for the equip-
ment being used.
4.c. When not cutting or gouging, make certain no part of the elec-
trode circuit is touching the work or ground. Accidental con-
tact can cause overheating and create a fire hazard.
4.d. Do not cut or gouge tanks, drums or containers until the prop-
er steps have been taken to insure that such procedures will
not cause flammable or toxic vapors from substances inside.
They can cause an explosion even though they have been
“cleaned.” For information purchase “Recommended Safe
Practices for the Preparation for Welding and Cutting of
Containers and Piping That Have Held Hazardous
Substances”, AWS F4.1 from the American Welding Society
(see address above).
4.e. Vent hollow castings or containers before heating, cutting or
gouging. They may explode.
4.f. Do nor fuel engine driven equipment near area where plasma
cutting or gouging.
ARC RAYS can burn.
2.a. Use safety glasses and a shield with the prop-
er filter and cover plates to protect your eyes
from sparks and the rays of the arc when per-
forming or observing plasma arc cutting or
gouging. Glasses,headshield and filter lens
should conform to ANSI Z87. I standards.
2.b. Use suitable clothing including gloves made from durable
flame-resistant material to protect your skin and that of your
helpers from the arc rays.
2.c. Protect other nearby personnel with suitable non-flammable
screening and/or warn them not to watch the arc nor expose
themselves to the arc rays or to hot spatter or metal.
ELECTRIC SHOCK can
kill.
1.a. The electrode and work (or ground) circuits
are electrically “hot” when the power source
is on. Do not touch these “hot” parts with
your bare skin or wet clothing. Wear dry,
hole-free gloves to insulate hands.
1.b. When the power source is operating voltages in excess of
250 volts are produced. This creates the potential for serious
electrical shock - potentially even fatal.
1.c. Insulate yourself from work and ground using dry insulation.
When cutting or gouging in damp locations, on metal frame-
work such as floors, gratings or scaffolds and when in posi-
tions such as sitting or lying, make certain the insulation is
large enough to cover your full area of physical contact with
work and ground.
1.d. Always be sure the work cable makes a good electrical con-
nection with the metal being cut or gouged. The connection
should be as close as possible to the area being cut or
gouged.
1.e. Ground the work or metal to be cut or gouged to a good elec-
trical (earth) ground.
1.f. Maintain the plasma torch, cable and work clamp in good,
safe operating condition. Replace damaged insulation.
1.g. Never dip the torch in water for cooling or plasma cut or
gouge in or under water.
1.h. When working above floor level, protect yourself from a fall
should you get a shock.
1.i. Operate the pilot arc with caution. The pilot arc is capable of
burning the operator, others or even piercing safety clothing.
1.j. Also see Items 4c and 6.
WARNING
PLASMA CUTTING or GOUGING can be hazardous.
FUMES AND GASES
can be dangerous.
3.a. Plasma cutting or gouging may produce
fumes and gases hazardous to health.
Avoid breathing these fumes and
gases.When cutting or gouging, keep your
head out of the fumes. Use enough ventila-
tion and/or exhaust at the arc to keep fumes and gases
away from the breathing zone.
When cutting or gouging
on lead or cadmium plated steel and other metals or
coatings which produce highly toxic fumes keep expo-
sure as low as possible and below Threshold Limit
Values (TLV) using local exhaust or mechanical ventila-
tion. In confined spaces or in some circumstances, out-
doors, a respirator may be required. Additional precau-
tions are also required when cutting or gouging on gal-
vanized steel.
3.b. Do not use plasma arc cutting or gouging in locations near
chlorinated hydrocarbon vapors coming from degreasing,
cleaning or spraying operations. The heat and rays of the arc
can react with solvent vapors to form phosgene, a highly
toxic gas, and other irritating products.
3.c. Gases used for plasma cutting and gouging can displace air
and cause injury or death. Always use enough ventilation,
especially in confined areas, to insure breathing air is safe.
3.d. Read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions for this
equipment and the consumables to be used, including the
material safety data sheet (MSDS) and follow your employ-
er’s safety practices.
Apr. ‘93
