
Torchmate 5100 2
FUMES AND GASES can be dangerous.
• Plasma cutting or gouging may produce fumes and gases hazardous to your health. Avoid breathing these fumes
and gases. When cutting or gouging, keep your head out of the fumes. Use enough ventilation and/or exhaust at the
arc to keep fumes and gases away from the breathing zone and general area.
• Use an air-supplied respirator if ventilation is not adequate to remove all fumes and gases.
• When plasma cutting or gouging on lead or cadmium plated steel and other metals or coatings which produce toxic
fumes, keep exposure as low as possible and within applicable limits such as the OSHA PEL and ACGIH TLV limits,
using local exhaust or mechanical ventilation. In conned spaces or in some circumstances a respirator will be
required.
• Additional precautions are also required when cutting (zinc) galvanized steel or materials containing or coated with
any of the following:
Antimony Beryllium Cobalt Manganese Selenium
Arsenic Cadmium Copper Mercury Silver
Barium Chromium Lead Nickel Vanadium
• The operation of plasma cutting or gouging fume control equipment is aected by various factors including proper
use and positioning of the equipment, maintenance of the equipment, and the specic procedure and application
involved. Worker exposure levels should be assessed by a qualied individual, such as an industrial hygienist, upon
installation and periodically thereafter to be certain levels are within applicable exposure limits, such as the OSHA
PEL and ACGIH TLV. For information on how to test for fumes and gases in your work place, refer to publications
section of this manual.
• Do not use plasma cutting or gouging equipment in locations near chlorinated hydrocarbon vapors coming from
degreasing, cleaning or spraying operations. The ultraviolet rays from the arc can react with solvent vapors to form
phosgene, a highly toxic gas, and other irritating products. Remove all sources of these vapors.
• Materials containing chromium may release hexavalent chromium compounds during plasma cutting and other hot
work.
• Hexavalent chromium compounds are on the IARC list as posing a lung cancer risk to humans. Use adequate venti-
lation to avoid overexposures.
• Gases used for plasma cutting and gouging can displace air and cause injury or death. Always use enough
ventilation, especially in conned areas, to insure breathing air is safe.
• Read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions for this equipment and follow your employer’s safety
practices.
• This product, when used for cutting, produces fumes or gases which contain chemicals known to the State of
California to cause birth defects
• Fumes and gases from hot work and dust created by routing, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction
activities contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Avoid prolonged con-
tact with this dust. Wear protective clothing and wash exposed areas with soap and water. Avoid dust to get into
your mouth, eyes, or lay on the skin as this may promote or result in the absorption of harmful chemicals.
Some examples of these chemicals are:
• Lead from lead-based paint.
• Crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products.
• Arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber (CCA).
Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on the nature and frequency of this type of work. To revent your ex-
posure to these chemicals: Use local exhaust ventilation and/or work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved
safety equipment, including respiratory protection that is properly selected in accordance with the contaminants, and
their concentrations present in the work environment.