
WELDING AND CUTTING SPARKS can cause fire or explosion.
6.a. Remove fire hazardous from the welding area. If this is not possible, cover them to prevent the
welding sparks from starting a fire. Remember that welding sparks and hot materials from welding
can easily go through small cracks and openings to adjacent areas. Avoid welding near hydraulic
lines. Have a fire extinguisher readily available.
6.b. Where compressed gases are to be used at the job site, special precautions should be used to
prevent hazardous situations. Refer to “Safety in Welding & Cutting” (ANSI Standard Z59.1) and the
operating information for the equipment being used.
6.c. When not welding, make certain no part of the electrode circuit is touching the work or ground.
Accidental contact can cause overheating and create a fire hazard.
6.d. Do not heat, cut or weld tanks, drums or containers until the proper 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 Preparations for Welding and Cutting of Containers and
Piping That Have Hazardous Substances”, AWS F4.1 from the American Welding Society (see
address above).
6.e. Vent hollow castings or containers before heating, cutting or welding. They may explode.
6.f. Sparks and spatter are thrown from the welding arc. Wear oil free protective garments such as
leather gloves, heavy shirt, high shoes and a cap over your hair. Wear earplugs when welding out
of position or in confined places. Always wear safety glasses with side shields when in a welding
area.
6.g. Connect the work cable to the work as close to the welding area as practical. Work cables
connected to the building framework or other locations away from the welding area increase the
possibility of the welding current passing through lifting chains, crane cables or other alternate
circuits. This can create fire hazards or overheat lifting chains or cable until they fail.
6.h. Also see item 1.c.
6.i. Do not use a welding power source for pipe thawing.