structures such as floors, gratings, or
scaffolds; when in cramped positions
such as sitting, kneeling, or lying; or
when there is a high risk of unavoidable
or accidental contact with the work
piece or ground. For these conditions,
use the following equipment in order
presented: 1) a semiautomatic DC
constant voltage (wire) welder, 2) a DC
manual (stick) welder, or 3) an AC
welder with reduced open-circuit
voltage. In most situations, use of a
DC, constant voltage wire welder is
recommended. Do not work alone!
Disconnect input power before
installing or servicing this equipment.
Properly install, ground, and operate
this equipment according to its Owner’s
Manual and national, state, and local
codes. Always verify the supply ground
− check and be sure that input power
cord ground wire is properly connected
to ground terminal in disconnect box or
that cord plug is connected to a
properly grounded receptacle outlet.
When making input connections, attach
proper grounding conductor first −
double-check connections. Keep cords
dry, free of oil and grease, and
protected from hot metal and sparks.
Frequently inspect input power cord for
damage or bare wiring − replace cord
immediately if damaged − bare wiring
can kill. Turn off all equipment when
not in use. Do not use worn, damaged,
undersized, or poorly spliced cables.
Do not drape cables over your body. If
earth grounding of the work piece is
required, ground it directly with a
separate cable. Do not touch electrode
if you are in contact with the work,
ground, or another electrode from a
different machine. Do not touch
electrode holders connected to two
welding machines at the same time
since double open-circuit voltage will
be present. Use only well-maintained
equipment. Repair or replace damaged
parts at once. Maintain unit according
to manual. Wear a safety harness if
working above floor level. Keep all
panels and covers securely in place.
Clamp work cable with good metal-to-
metal contact to work piece or
worktable as near the weld as practical.
Insulate work clamp when not
connected to work piece to prevent
contact with any metal object. Do not
connect more than one electrode or
work cable to any single weld output
terminal. SIGNIFICANT DC VOLTAGE
exists in inverter welding power
sources AFTER removal of input
power. Do not abuse the cord. Never
use the cord for carrying, pulling or
unplugging the equipment. Keep cord
away from heat, oil, sharp edges or
moving parts. Damaged or entangled
cords increase the risk of electric
shock. When operating equipment
outdoors, use an extension cord
suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord
suitable for outdoor use reduces the
risk of electric shock. If operating
equipment in a damp location is
unavoidable, use a residual current
device (RCD) protected supply. Use of
an RCD reduces the risk of electric
shock. NOTE: The term “residual
current device (RCD)” may be replaced
by the term “ground fault circuit
interrupter (GFCI)” or “earth leakage
circuit breaker (ELCB)”.
Hot Parts can burn.
Don’t touch hot parts bare handed.
Allow cooling period before working on
equipment. To handle hot parts, use
proper tools and/or wear heavy,
insulated welding gloves and clothing
to prevent burns.
Fumes and Gases can be
hazardous.
Welding produces fumes and gases.
Breathing these fumes and gases can
be hazardous to your health. Keep your
head out of the fumes. Do not breathe
the fumes. If inside, ventilate the area
and/or use local forced ventilation at
the arc to remove welding fumes and
gases. If ventilation is poor, wear an
approved air-supplied respirator. Read
and understand the Material Safety
Data Sheets (MSDSs) and the
manufacturer’s instructions for metals,
consumables, coatings, cleaners, and
degreasers. Work in a confined space
only if it is well ventilated, or while
wearing an air-supplied respirator.
Always have a trained watch person
nearby. Welding fumes and gases can
displace air and lower the oxygen level
causing injury or death. Be sure the
breathing air is safe. 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.
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 while wearing an air-
supplied respirator. The coatings and
any metals containing these elements
can give off toxic fumes if welded.
ARC Rays can burn eyes and skin.
Arc rays from the welding process
produce intense visible and invisible
(ultraviolet and infrared) rays that can
burn eyes and skin. Sparks fly off from
the weld. Wear 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. Wear approved
safety glasses with side shields under
your helmet. Use protective screens or
barriers to protect others from flash,
glare and sparks; warn others not to
watch the arc. Wear protective clothing
made from durable, flame-resistant
material (leather, heavy cotton, or wool)
and foot protection.
Welding can cause fire or
explosion.
Welding on closed containers, such as
tanks, drums, or pipes, can cause them
to blow up. Sparks can fly off from the
welding arc. The flying sparks, hot work
piece, 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 is safe
before doing any welding. Remove all
flammables within 35 ft (10.7 m) of the
welding arc. If this is not possible,
tightly cover them with approved
covers. Do not weld where flying
sparks can strike flammable material.
Protect yourself and others from flying
sparks and hot metal. Be alert that
welding sparks and hot materials from
welding can easily go through small
cracks and openings to adjacent areas.
Watch for fire, and keep a fire
extinguisher nearby. Be aware that
welding on a ceiling, floor, bulkhead, or
partition can cause fire on the hidden
side. Do 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 AS 1674.1 and
AS 1674.2 "Safety in Welding and
Allied Processes". Do not weld where
the atmosphere may contain flammable
dust, gas, or liquid vapours (such as
gasoline). Connect work cable to the
work as close to the welding area as
practical to prevent welding current
from traveling long, possibly unknown
paths and causing electric shock,
sparks, and fire hazards. Do not use
welder to thaw frozen pipes. Remove
stick electrode from holder or cut off
welding wire at contact tip when not in
use. Wear oil-free protective garments
such as leather gloves, heavy shirt,
cuff-less trousers, high shoes, and a
cap. Remove any combustibles, such
as a butane lighter or matches, from
your person before doing any welding.
After completion of work, inspect area
to ensure it is free of sparks, glowing
embers, and flames. Use only correct
fuses or circuit breakers. Do not
oversize or bypass them. Always have
a fire watcher and extinguisher nearby.
Eye Protection
Welding, chipping, wire brushing and
grinding cause sparks and flying metal.
As welds cool, they can throw off slag.
Wear approved safety glasses with
side shields even under your welding
helmet. Flying Metal or Dirt can injure
eyes.
Gas Safety
Build-up of gas can injure or kill. Shut
off compressed gas supply when not in
use. Always ventilate confined spaces
or use approved air-supplied respirator.
