•Do not weld, cut, or perform other such
work on used barrels, drums, tanks, or
other containers that had contained a
flammable or toxic substance. The
techniques for removing flammable
substances and vapors, to make a
used container safe for welding or
cutting, are quite complex and require
special education and training.
• Do not strike an arc on a compressed
gas or air cylinder or other pressure
vessel. Doing so will create a brittle
area that can result in a violent rupture
immediately or at a later time as a
result of rough handling.
•Do not weld or cut in an area where the
air may contain flammable dust (such
as grain dust), gas, or liquid vapors
(such as gasoline).
• Do not handle hot metal, such as the
workpiece or electrode stubs, with bare
hands.
• Wear leather gloves, heavy long sleeve
shirt, cuffless trousers, high-topped
shoes, helmet, and cap. As necessary,
use additional protective clothing such
as leather jacket or sleeves, fire
resistant leggings, or apron. Hot sparks
or metal can lodge in rolled up sleeves,
trouser cuffs, or pockets. Sleeves and
collars should be kept buttoned and
pockets eliminated from the shirt front.
•Have fire extinguishing equipment
handy for immediate use! A portable
chemical fire extinguisher, type ABC, is
recommended.
• Wear ear plugs when welding
overhead to prevent spatter or slag
from falling into ear.
• Make sure welding area has a good,
solid, safe floor, preferably concrete or
masonry, not tiled, carpeted, or made
of any other flammable material.
• Protect flammable walls, ceilings, and
floors with heat resistant covers or
shields.
• Check welding area to make sure it is
free of sparks, glowing metal or slag,
and flames before leaving the welding
area.
FUME HAZARDS
WARNING
FUMES, GASSES, AND
VAPORS CAN CAUSE
DISCOMFORT, ILLNESS,
AND DEATH!
To reduce risk of discomfort, illness, or
death, read, understand, and follow the
following safety instructions. In addition,
make certain that anyone else that uses
this welding equipment or is a bystander
in the welding area, understands and
follows these safety instructions as well.
•Do not weld in an area until it is
checked for adequate ventilation as
described in ANSI standard #Z49.1. If
ventilation is not adequate to exchange
all fumes and gasses generated during
the welding process with fresh air, do
not weld unless you (the welder) and
all bystanders are wearing air-supplied
respirators.
• Do not heat metals coated with, or that
contain, materials that produce toxic
fumes (such as galvanized steel),
unless the coating is removed. Make
certain the area is well ventilated, and
the operator and all bystanders are
wearing air-supplied respirators.
• Do not weld, cut, or heat lead, zinc,
cadmium, mercury, beryllium, or
similar metals without seeking
professional advice and inspection of
the ventilation of the welding area.
These metals produce EXTREMELY
TOXIC fumes which can cause
discomfort, illness, and death.
•Do not weld or cut in areas that are
near chlorinated solvents. Vapors from
chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as
trichloroethylene and
perchloroethylene, can be decomposed
bythe heat of an electric arc or its
ultraviolet radiation. These actions can
cause PHOSGENE, a HIGHLY TOXIC
gas to form, along with other lung and
