FUMES AND GASES
WARNING
Welding produces fumes and gases. Breathing
these fumes and gases can be hazardous to your
health.
1. Keep your head out of the fumes. Do not breathe
the fumes.
2. If inside, ventilate the area and/or use an exhaust
at the arc to remove welding fumes and gases.
3. If ventilation is poor, use an approved air-supplied
respirator.
4. Read the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and the
manufacturer’s instruction for the metals,
consumables, coatings, and cleaners.
5. Work in a confined space only if it is well
ventilated, or while wearing an air-supplied
respirator. Shielding gases used for welding can
displace air causing injury or death. Be sure the
breathing air is safe.
6. Do not weld in locations near degreasing,
cleaning, or spraying operations. The heat and
rays of the arc can react with vapours to form
highly toxic and irritating gases.
7. Do not weld on coated metals, such as
galvanized, lead, or cadmium plated steel,
unless the coating is removed from the weld area,
the area is well ventilated, and if necessary, while
wearing an air- supplied respirator. The coatings
and any metals containing these elements can
give off toxic fumes if welded.
FIRE & EXPLOSIVE RISKS
WARNING
Sparks and spatter fly off from the welding arc.
The flying sparks and hot metal, weld spatter,
work piece, and hot equipment can cause fires
and burns.
Accidental contact of electrode or welding wire
to metal objects can cause sparks, overheating,
or fire.
1. Protect yourself and others from flying sparks
and hot metal.
2. Do not weld where flying sparks can strike
flammable material.
3. Remove all flammables within 10m of the
welding site.
4. Be alert that welding sparks and hot materials
from welding can easily go through small cracks
and openings to adjacent areas.
5. Watch for fire, and keep a fire extinguisher
nearby.
6. Be aware that welding on a ceiling, floor,
bulkhead, or partition can cause fire on the
hidden side.
7. Do not weld on closed containers such as tanks
or drums.
8. Connect the work lead/clamp to the job as close
to the welding area as practical to prevent
welding current from travelling long, possibly
unknown paths and causing electric shock and
fire hazards.
9. Do not use a welder to thaw frozen pipes.
10. Remove the stick electrode from the holder or
cut off the welding wire at the contact tip when
not in use.
SPARKS & HOT METAL
WARNING
Chipping and grinding causes flying metal, and as
welds cool they can throw off slag.
1. Wear an AS/NZS approved face shield or safety
goggles. Side shields are recommended.
2. Wear appropriate safety equipment to protect
the skin and body.
CYLINDERS
WARNING
Gas cylinders contain gas under high pressure.
If damaged, a cylinder can explode. Since
gas cylinders are normally part of the welding
process, be sure to treat them carefully.
1. Protect compressed gas cylinders from
excessive heat, mechanical shocks, and arcs.
2. Install and secure cylinders in an upright position
by chaining them to a stationary support or equip-
ment cylinder rack to prevent falling or tipping.
3. Keep cylinders away from any welding or other
electrical circuits.
4. Never allow a welding electrode to touch any
cylinder.
5. Use appropriate shielding gas, regulators, hoses,
and fittings designed for the specific application;
maintain them and their associated parts in good
condition.
6. Turn your face away from the valve outlet when
opening the cylinder valve.
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