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Safety Quick-Guide
6. Special Situations & Equipment
Confined spaces are areas which lack room for full movement and often lack ventilation, such
as storage tanks, vats, tunnels, boilers, pipes, hold of a ship, corners of a room, near a ceiling
or floor corner, or in a pit. Gases can collect and form dangerous concentrations.
Always open all covers, remove any hazardous or toxic materials, provide forced ventilation,
and provide a means to turn off power and gas from the inside.
Never work alone — have constant communication with someone outside who can quickly
turn off power and gas, is trained in rescue procedures, and is able to pull you out in case
of emergency.
Do not use AC weld output in confined spaces.
Insulate yourself from work and ground using non-flammable, dry insulating material if
possible, or use dry rubber mats, dry wood or plywood, or other dry insulating material big
enough to cover your full area of contact with the work or ground, and watch for fire.
Always check and monitor the air quality in the space. Welding or cutting fumes and gases
can displace air and lower the oxygen level — use ventilation and, if needed, an air-supplied
respirator. Be sure the breathing air is safe.
Always remember: All normal arc welding and cutting hazards are amplified in confined
spaces (see ANSI Z49.1 listed in Section 7).
Confined spaces can be hazardous.
Shielding gas cylinders contain gas under high pressure. If damaged, a cylinder can explode.
Since gas cylinders are normally part of the welding process and may be part of the cutting
process, be sure to treat them carefully.
Protect compressed gas cylinders from excessive heat, mechanical shocks, slag, open
flames, sparks, and arcs.
Install cylinders in an upright position by securing them to a stationary support or cylinder rack
to prevent falling or tipping.
Keep protective cap in place over valve except when cylinder is in use or connected for use.
Cylinders can be heavy — use lifting device and proper methods to prevent back injury.
Read and follow instructions on compressed gas cylinders, associated equipment, and CGA
publication P-1 listed in Safety Standards (see Section 7).
Cylinders can explode if damaged.
Pacemaker wearers keep away from arc welding and cutting operations and equipment.
Wearers should consult their doctor before going near arc welding, gouging, arc cutting, or
spot welding operations.
Magnetic fields can affect pacemakers.
