Lincoln Electric Safe Practices

To Promote Arc Welding Safety

Arc welding is a safe process when sufficient measures are taken to protect the welder from potential hazards and when proper operating practices are followed. Major hazards welders can encounter if these dangers are overlooked include fumes and gases, arc rays and sparks, and electric shock. Here are a few of the main precautions that will help welders avoid trouble. For further safety information and details on safe welding, contact the manufacturer of your welding equipment or the American Welding Society. Everyone with welding responsibility should also be familiar with ANSI standard Z49.1, "Safety in Welding and Cutting."

Fumes and Gases Are Silent Hazards

The fumes and gases that result from the welding process can cause acute or chronic health effects if proper precautions are ignored. The fume plume contains solid particles from the consumables (electrodes), base metal, base metal coating and gases formed in the process, which include oxides of nitrogen and ozone.. The gases used for shielding (argon, helium, and carbon dioxide) are non-toxic, but as they are released, they displace oxygen in breathing air. This can cause dizziness, unconsciousness, and even death with longer exposures. Avoid exposure to fumes and gases whenever possible, and use ventilation equipment or a respirator when necessary.

Keep your head out of the fumes.

Use enough ventilation or exhaust to remove fumes and gases from the work area. Mechanical equipment should exhaust at least 2000 cfm of air for each welder, except where individual exhaust hoods, booths, or air-line respirators are used.

Natural ventilation may be used under certain conditions. For welding or cutting mild steel, natural ventilation is usually sufficient if a room has at least 10,000 cubic feet per welder, with a ceiling height of at least 16 feet. Cross-ventilation should not be blocked, and welding should not be done in a confined space.

Don't get too close to the arc ("Avoid the plume"). Use corrective lenses to help you maintain the proper distance if necessary.

Read and understand the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the product.

Read and obey warning labels on all containers of welding materials.

Use a smoke extractor-type welding gun for semiautomatic welding processes.

 

Arc Rays and Sparks Can Injure Eyes and Burn Skin

These are the most obvious hazards because they are the most visible. However, they should not be taken for granted. While the dangers may be well recognized, consider these factors:

Protect your eyes and face with a properly fitted welding helmet that is equipped with the correct grade of filter plate (See ANSI Z49.1 and Z87.1 standards). Fig. 1 shows suggested shade numbers for various arc welding processes. Infrared radiation can cause retinal burning and cataracts. Even brief exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause an eye burn known as "welder's flash," which results in extreme discomfort, swelling, fluid excretion, and possibly temporary blindness.

Protect your body from welding spatter and arc flash with clothing made from durable, flame-resistant material, such as woolen fabrics, and gear that includes flame-proof apron and gloves, leather leggings, and high boots.

Avoid clothing made of synthetic materials, which can melt when exposed to extreme heat or sparks, or cotton unless it is specially treated for fire protection.

Keep your clothes free of grease and oil, which may ignite.

Protect others from spatter, flash, and glare with non-flammable protective screens or curtains.

Be sure to wear safety glasses with side shields when in a welding area.

Electric Shock Can Kill

The hazards of electric shock are one of the most serious risks facing a welder. Contact with equipment or metal parts that are electrically "hot' can cause injury or death from the shock or from a fall that results from reaction to the shock. Primary voltage shock (i.e., 230, 460 volts) is the most serious danger because it is much greater than secondary voltage shock (i.e, 60 - 100 volts). Primary voltage shock comes from touching a lead inside the welding power source while you have your body or hand in contact with the welder case or other grounded metal. Turning the equipment's power switch "off" does not turn power off inside the case. Never remove panels without unplugging the input power cord or turning the power disconnect switch off. Secondary voltage shock comes from touching part of the welding circuit, such as a bare spot on the electrode cable, while also touching the grounded metal work piece. Avoid touching both parts of a circuit at the same time.

Be sure you are insulated from the work piece and ground, as well as other live electrical parts.

Don't lean on the workpiece.

Use plywood, rubber mats or other dry insulation to stand on, and wear dry, hole-free gloves.

Stay dry, and do not weld when you are wet. Never dip the electrode in water to cool it.

Check equipment to be sure it is properly grounded, in good repair, and installed according to prevailing codes.

Be sure equipment is turned off when not in use.

Electric current flowing through a conductor causes Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF), which can interfere with pacemakers and may effect health in other ways. Consult your physician before arc welding if you have a pacemaker.

To avoid excessive exposure to EMF, keep the electrode and work cables together, never place your body between the two cables or coil the electrode lead around your body, and do not work directly next to the welding power source.