• Provide a fire watch when working in an area where fire 
hazards may exist.
• Hydrogen gas may be formed and trapped under aluminum 
workpieces when they are cut underwater or while using a 
water table. DO NOT cut aluminum alloys underwater or on 
a water table unless the hydrogen gas can be eliminated or 
dissipated. Trapped hydrogen gas that is ignited will cause 
an explosion. 
 NOISE
Noise can cause permanent hearing loss. Plasma arc processes can 
cause noise levels to exceed safe limits. You must protect your ears 
from loud noise to prevent permanent loss of hearing.
• To protect your hearing from loud noise, wear protective ear 
plugs and/or ear muffs. Protect others in the workplace.
• Noise levels should be measured to be sure the decibels 
(sound) do not exceed safe levels.
• For information on how to test for noise, see item 1 in Sub-
section 1.03, Publications, in this manual.
 PLASMA ARC RAYS
Plasma Arc Rays can injure your eyes and burn your skin. The 
plasma arc process produces very bright ultra violet and infra red 
light. These arc rays will damage your eyes and burn your skin if 
you are not properly protected.
• To protect your eyes, always wear a welding helmet or shield. 
Also always wear safety glasses with side shields, goggles 
or other protective eye wear.
• Wear welding gloves and suitable clothing to protect your 
skin from the arc rays and sparks.
• Keep helmet and safety glasses in good condition. Replace 
lenses when cracked, chipped or dirty.
• Protect others in the work area from the arc rays. Use protec-
tive booths, screens or shields.
• Use the shade of lens as suggested in the following per 
ANSI/ASC Z49.1:
 Minimum Protective Suggested
 Arc Current Shade No. Shade No.
 Less Than 300* 8 9
 300 - 400* 9 12
 400 - 800* 10 14
* These values apply where the actual arc is clearly 
seen. Experience has shown that lighter filters may be 
used when the arc is hidden by the workpiece.
 LEAD WARNING
This product contains chemicals, including lead, or otherwise pro-
duces chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, 
birth defects and other reproductive harm.Wash hands after han-
dling. (California Health & Safety Code § 25249.5 et seq.).
1.03 Publications
Refer to the following standards or their latest revisions for more 
information:
1. OSHA, SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS, 29CFR 1910, 
obtainable from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. 
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402
2. ANSI Standard Z49.1, SAFETY IN WELDING AND CUTTING, 
obtainable from the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. 
LeJeune Rd, Miami, FL 33126
3. NIOSH, SAFETY AND HEALTH IN ARC WELDING AND GAS 
WELDING AND CUTTING, obtainable from the Superin-
tendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402
4. ANSI Standard Z87.1, SAFE PRACTICES FOR OCCUPATION 
AND EDUCATIONAL EYE AND FACE PROTECTION, obtain-
able from American National Standards Institute, 1430 
Broadway, New York, NY 10018
5. ANSI Standard Z41.1, STANDARD FOR MEN’S SAFETY-TOE 
FOOTWEAR, obtainable from the American National Stan-
dards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
6. ANSI Standard Z49.2, FIRE PREVENTION IN THE USE OF 
CUTTING AND WELDING PROCESSES, obtainable from 
American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, 
New York, NY 10018
7. AWS Standard A6.0, WELDING AND CUTTING CONTAIN-
ERS WHICH HAVE HELD COMBUSTIBLES, obtainable from 
American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Rd, Miami, 
FL 33126
8. NFPA Standard 51, OXYGEN-FUEL GAS SYSTEMS FOR 
WELDING, CUTTING AND ALLIED PROCESSES, obtainable 
from the National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch 
Park, Quincy, MA 02269
9. NFPA Standard 70, NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, ob-
tainable from the National Fire Protection Association, 
Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269
10. NFPA Standard 51B, CUTTING AND WELDING PROCESSES, 
obtainable from the National Fire Protection Association, 
Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269
11. CGA Pamphlet P-1, SAFE HANDLING OF COMPRESSED 
GASES IN CYLINDERS, obtainable from the Compressed 
Gas Association, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 501, 
Arlington, VA 22202
12. CSA Standard W117.2, CODE FOR SAFETY IN WELDING 
AND CUTTING, obtainable from the Canadian Standards 
Association, Standards Sales, 178 Rexdale Boulevard, 
Rexdale, Ontario, Canada M9W 1R3
13. NWSA booklet, WELDING SAFETY BIBLIOGRAPHY obtain-
able from the National Welding Supply Association, 1900 
Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
14. American Welding Society Standard AWSF4.1, RECOM-
MENDED SAFE PRACTICES FOR THE PREPARATION FOR 
WELDING AND CUTTING OF CONTAINERS AND PIPING 
THAT HAVE HELD HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, obtainable 
from the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Rd, 
Miami, FL 33126
15. ANSI Standard Z88.2, PRACTICE FOR RESPIRATORY PRO-
TECTION, obtainable from American National Standards 
Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018