Personal Protection
Welding processes of any kind can be dangerous not only to the operator but to any person
situated near the equipment, if safety and operating rules are not strictly observed.
Arc rays can injure your eyes and burn your skin. The welding arc 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.
• Wear closed, non-flammable protective clothing, without pockets or turned up trousers, gloves
and shoes with insulating sole and steel toe. Avoid oily greasy clothing.
• Wear a non-flammable welding helmet with appropriate filter lenses designed so as to shield
the neck and the face, also on the sides. Keep protective lens clean and replace them when
broken, cracked or spattered. Position a transparent glass between lens and welding area.
• Weld in a closed area that does not open into other working areas.
• Never look at the arc without correct lens.
Gases and fumes produced during the welding process can be dangerous and hazardous to
your health.
• Adequate local exhaust ventilation must be used in the area. It should be provided through a
mobile hood or through a built-in system on the workbench that provides exhaust ventilation
from the sides, the front and below, but not from above the bench so as to avoid raising
dust and fumes. Local exhaust ventilation must be provided together with adequate general
ventilation and air circulation, particularly when work is done in a confined space.
• Welding process must be performed on metal surfaces thoroughly cleaned from rust or paint,
to avoid production of harmful fumes. The parts degreased with a solvent must be dried before
welding.
• Be very careful when welding any metals which may contain one or more of the following:
Antimony Beryllium Cobalt Manganese Selenium Arsenic Cadmium
Copper Mercury Silver Barium Chromium Lead Nickel
Vanadium
• Remove all chlorinated solvents from the welding area before welding. Certain chlorinated
solvents decompose when exposed to ultraviolet radiation to form phosgene gas (nerve gas).
Fire and explosion can be caused by hot slag, sparks or the welding arc.
• Keep an approved fire extinguisher of the proper size and type in the working area. Inspect it
regularly to ensure that it is in proper working order;
• Remove all combustible materials from the working area. If you can not remove them, protect
them with fire-proof covers;
• Ventilate welding work areas adequately. Maintain sufficient air flow to prevent accumulation
of explosive or toxic concentrations of gases;
• Do not weld on containers that may have held combustibles;
•
Always check welding area to make sure it is free of sparks, slag or glowing metal and flames;
• The work area must have a fireproof floor;
Fire Prevention
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