SAFETY
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touch these “hot” parts with your bare skin or wet clothing. Wear dry, hole-free gloves to insulate
hands.
In semiautomatic or automatic wire welding, the electrode, electrode reel, welding head, nozzle
or semiautomatic welding gun are also electrically “hot”.
Always be sure the work cable makes a good electrical connection with the metal being welded.
The connection should be as close as possible to the area being welded.
Maintain the electrode holder, work clamp, welding cable and welding machine in good, safe
operating condition. Replace damaged insulation.
Never dip the electrode in water for cooling.
Never simultaneously touch electrically “hot” parts of electrode holders connected to two welders
because voltage between the two can be the total of the open circuit voltage of both welders.
When working above the floor level, use a safety belt to protect yourself from a fall should you
get a shock.
FUMES AND GASES CAN BE DANGEROUS.
Welding may produce fumes and gases hazardous to health. Avoid breathing these fumes and
gases. When welding, keep your head out of the fume. Use enough ventilation and/or exhaust at
the arc to keep fumes and gases away from the breathing zone. When welding with electrodes
which require special ventilation such as stainless or hard facing or on lead or cadmium plated
steel and other metals or coatings which produce highly toxic fumes, keep exposure as low as
possible and below Threshold Limit Values using local exhaust or mechanical ventilation. In
confined spaces or in some circumstances, outdoors, a respirator may be required. Additional
precautions are also required when welding on galvanized steel.
Do not weld 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.
Shielded gases used for arc welding can displace air and cause injury or death. Always use
enough ventilation, especially in confined areas, to insure breathing air is safe.
Read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions for this equipment and the consumables to
be used, including the material safety data sheet and follow your employer’s safety practices.
