
OM-258413 Page 2
FLYING METAL or DIRT can injure
eyes.
DWelding,chipping, wire brushing, and grinding
cause sparks and flying metal. As welds cool,
they can throw off slag.
DWear approved safety glasses with side shields even under your
weldinghelmet.
FUMES AND GASES can b
hazardous.
Weldingproduces fumes and gases. Breathing the
fumes and gases can be hazardous to your health.
DKeep your head out of the fumes. Do not breathe the fumes.
DVentilatethe work area and/or use local forced ventilation at the arc
to remove welding fumes and gases. The recommended way to
determine adequate ventilation is to sample for the composition
andquantity of fumes and gases to which personnel are exposed.
DIf ventilation is poor, wear an approved air-supplied respirator.
DRead and understand the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and the
manufacturer’s instructions for adhesives, coatings, cleaners,
consumables,coolants, degreasers, fluxes, and metals.
DWork in a confined space only if it is well ventilated, or while
wearingan air-supplied respirator. Always have a trained watch-
person nearby. Welding fumes and gases can displace air and
lowerthe oxygen level causing injury or death. Be sure the breath-
ing air is safe.
DDo not weld in locations near degreasing, cleaning, or spraying op-
erations. The heat and rays of the arc can react with vapors to form
highly toxic and irritating gases.
DDo not weld on coated metals, such as galvanized, lead, or
cadmiumplated steel, unless the coating is removed from the weld
area,the area is well ventilated, and while wearing an air-supplied
respirator. The coatings and any metals containing these elements
can give off toxic fumes if welded.
BUILDUP OF GAS can injure or kill.
DShutoff compressed gas supply when not in use.
DAlways ventilate confined spaces or use ap-
proved air-supplied respirator.
ARC RAYS can burn eyes and skin.
Arc rays from the welding process produce intens
visible and invisible (ultraviolet and infrared) rays
that can burn eyes and skin. Sparks fly off from th
weld.
DWear an approved welding helmet fitted with a proper shade of filter
lenses to protect your face and eyes from arc rays and sparks
when welding or watching (see ANSI Z49.1 and Z87.1 listed in
Safety Standards).
DWear approved safety glasses with side shields under your
helmet.
DUse protective screens or barriers to protect others from flash,
glare,and sparks; warn others not to watch the arc.
DWear body protection made from durable, flame-resistant material
(leather, heavy cotton, wool). Body protection includes oil-free
clothingsuch as leather gloves, heavy shirt, cuffless trousers, high
shoes, and a cap.
WELDING can cause fire or explosio
Welding on closed containers, such as tanks
drums,or pipes, can cause them to blow up. Spark
can fly off from the welding arc. The flying sparks, ho
workpiece,and hot equipment can cause fires and
burns. Accidental contact of electrode to metal objects can cause
sparks, explosion, overheating, or fire. Check and be sure the area i
safe before doing any welding.
DRemove all flammables within 35 ft (10.7 m) of the welding arc. If
this is not possible, tightly cover them with approved covers.
DDo not weld where flying sparks can strike flammable material.
DProtect yourself and others from flying sparks and hot metal.
DBe alert that welding sparks and hot materials from welding can
easily go through small cracks and openings to adjacent areas.
DWatch for fire, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
DBe aware that welding on a ceiling, floor, bulkhead, or partition can
cause fire on the hidden side.
DDo not cut or weld on tire rims or wheels. Tires can explode if heat-
ed. Repaired rims and wheels can fail. See OSHA 29 CFR
1910.177listed in Safety Standards.
DDo not weld on containers that have held combustibles, or on
closed containers such as tanks, drums, or pipes unless they are
properly prepared according to AWS F4.1 and AWS A6.0 (see
Safety Standards).
DDo not weld where the atmosphere can contain flammable dust,
gas, or liquid vapors (such as gasoline).
DConnect work cable to the work as close tothe welding area as practi-
cal to prevent welding current from traveling long, possibly unknown
paths and causing electric shock, sparks, and fire hazards.
DDo not use welder to thaw frozen pipes.
DRemove stick electrode from holder or cut off welding wire at
contact tip when not in use.
DWear body protection made from durable, flame-resistant material
(leather, heavy cotton, wool). Body protection includes oil-free
clothingsuch as leather gloves, heavy shirt, cuffless trousers, high
shoes, and a cap.
DRemove any combustibles, such as a butane lighter or matches,
from your person before doing any welding.
DAftercompletion of work, inspect area to ensure it is free of sparks,
glowingembers, and flames.
DUse only correct fuses or circuit breakers. Do not oversize or by-
pass them.
DFollowrequirements in OSHA 1910.252 (a) (2) (iv) and NFPA 51B
for hot work and have a fire watcher and extinguisher nearby.
DRead and understand the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and the
manufacturer’s instructions for adhesives, coatings, cleaners,
consumables,coolants, degreasers, fluxes, and metals.
NOISE can damage hearing.
Noise from some processes or equipment can
damagehearing.
DWear approved ear protection if noise level is
high.
ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS (EMF)
can affect Implanted Medical Devices.
DWearers of Pacemakers and other Implanted
MedicalDevices should keep away.
DImplantedMedical Device wearers should con-
sult their doctor and the device manufacturer before going near arc
welding,spot welding, gouging, plasma arc cutting, or induction heat-
ing operations.
CYLINDERS can explode if damaged
Compressedgas 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.
DProtect compressed gas cylinders from excessive heat, mechani-
cal shocks, physical damage, slag, open flames, sparks, and arcs.
DInstall cylinders in an upright position by securing to a stationary
support or cylinder rack to prevent falling or tipping.
DKeepcylinders away from any welding or other electrical circuits.
DNever drape a welding torch over a gas cylinder.
DNever allow a welding electrode to touch any cylinder.
DNever weld on a pressurized cylinder — explosion will result.
DUse only correct compressed gas cylinders, regulators, hoses,
and fittings designed for the specific application; maintain them
and associated parts in good condition.
DTurn face away from valve outlet when opening cylinder valve. Do
not stand in front of or behind the regulator when opening the valve.
DKeepprotective cap in place over valve except when cylinder is in
use or connected for use.
DUse the proper equipment, correct procedures, and sufficient
numberof persons to lift, move, and transport cylinders.
DRead and follow instructions on compressed gas cylinders,
associatedequipment, and Compressed Gas Association (CGA)
publication P-1 listed in Safety Standards.