L-TEC PCM-70 - Safety Precautions

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: These Safety Precautions are for your protection. They sum-
marize precautionary information contained in the references in item 7 and as
noted herein. Before performing any installation or operating procedures, be sure
to read and follow the safety precautions listed below as well as all other manuals,
material safety data sheets, labels, etc. Failure to observe Safety Precautions
can result in personal injury or death.
PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS -- Some welding, cutting, and
gouging processes are noisy and require ear protection. Skin and eye
burns from arc rays can be more severe than sunburn. Hot metal can
cause skin burns and heat rays may injure eyes. Training in the proper
use of the processes and equipment is essential to prevent accidents.
Also:
a. Always wear safety glasses with side shields in any work area, even if
welding helmets, face shields, and goggles are also required.
b. Use a face shield fitted with the correct filter and cover plates to protect
your eyes, face, neck, and ears from sparks and rays of the arc when
operating or observing operations. WARN bystanders not to watch the
arc and not to expose themselves to the rays of the electric-arc or hot
metal.
c. Wear flameproof gauntlet type gloves, heavy long-sleeve shirt, cuffless
trousers, high-topped shoes, and a welding helmet or cap for hair
protection, to protect against arc rays and hot sparks or hot metal. A
flameproof apron may also be desirable as protection against radiated
heat and sparks.
d. Hot sparks or metal can lodge in rolled up sleeves, trouser cuffs, or
pockets. Sleeves and collars should be kept buttoned, and open pockets
eliminated from the front of clothing.
e. Protect other personnel from arc rays and hot sparks with a suitable
non-flammable partition or curtains.
f. Use goggles over safety glasses when chipping slag or grinding. Chipped
slag may be hot and can travel considerable distances. Bystanders
should also wear goggles over safety glasses.
FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS -- Heat from flames and arcs as well as their
radiation can act as ignition sources. Hot slag or sparks can also cause
fires and explosions. Therefore:
a. Remove all combustible materials well away from the work area or
completely cover the materials with a protective non-flammable covering.
Combustible materials include woods, cloth, sawdust, liquid and gas
fuels , solvents, paints and coatings, paper, etc.
b. Hot sparks or hot metal can fall through cracks or crevices in floors or
wall openings and cause a hidden smoldering fire or fires on the floor
below. Make certain that such openings are protected from hot sparks
and metal.
c. Do not weld, cut or perform other hot work until the workpiece has been
completely cleaned so that there are no substances on the workpiece
which might produce flammable or toxic vapors. Do not do hot work on
closed containers. They may explode.
d. Have fire extinguishing equipment handy for instant use, such as a
garden hose, water pail, sand bucket, or portable fire extinguisher. Be
sure you are trained in its use.
e. After completing operations, inspect the work area to make certain there
are no hot sparks or hot metal which could cause a later fire. Use fire
watchers when necessary.
f. For additional information, refer to NFPA Standard 51B, "Fire Prevention
in Use of Cutting and Welding Processes", which is available from the
National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA
02269.
ELECTRICAL SHOCK -- Contact with live electrical parts can cause
severe burns to the body or fatal shock. Severity of electrical shock is
determined by the path and amount of current through the body.
Therefore:
a. Never allow live metal parts to touch bare skin or any wet clothing. Be
sure gloves are dry.
b. When standing on metal or operating in a damp area, make certain that
you are well insulated. Wear dry gloves and rubber-soled shoes and
stand on a dry board or platform.
c. Always ground the power supply by connecting a ground wire between
the power supply and the ground system of the input power.
d. eiis make sure that the workpiece is connected to a good electrical
ground.
e. Itis especially important, particularly with plasma cutting equipment, to
be sure the work cable is connected to the workpiece. A poor or missing
connection could expose the operator or others in the area to a fatal
shock.
f. Do not use worn or damaged cables. Do not overload the cable. Use well
maintained equipment.
g. When not operating, turn off the equipment. Accidental overloading can
cause overheating and create a fire hazard. Do not coil or loop cable
around parts of the body.
h. Be sure the proper size ground cable is connected to the workpiece as
close to the work area as possible. Grounds connected to building
framework or other remote locations from the work area increase the
possibility of output current passing through lifting chains, crane cables,
or various electrical parts.
i. Keep everything dry, including clothing, work area, cables, electrode
holder, and power supply. Fix water leaks immediately.
j- Refer to ANSI/ASC Standard Z49.1 in Item 7 below for specific grounding
recommendations. Do not mistake the work lead for a ground cable.
4. FUMES AND GASES -- Fumes and gases, particularly in confined
spaces, can cause discomfort and physical harm. Do not breathe fumes
and gases. Shielding gases can cause asphyxiation. Therefore:
a. Always provide adequate ventilation in the work area by natural or
mechanical ventilation means. Do not weld, cut, or gouge on materials
such as galvanized steel, stainless steel, copper, zinc, lead, beryllium, or
cadmium unless positive mechanical ventilation is provided. Do not
breathe fumes and gases from these materials.
b. Do not operate in locations close to chlorinated hydrocarbon vapors
coming from degreasing and spraying operations. The heat or arc rays
can react with solvent vapors to form phosgene, a highly toxic gas, and
other irritant gases.
c. If you develop momentary eye, nose, or throat irritation while operating,
this is an indication that ventilation is not adequate. Stop work and take
necessary steps to improve ventilation in the work area. Do not continue
to operate if physical discomfort persists.
d. Referto ANSI/ASC Standard Z49.1 in item 7 below for specific ventilation
recommendations.
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE -- Faulty or improperly maintained equip-
f ment can result in poor work, but most importantly it can cause
physical l injury or death through fires or electrical shock. Therefore:
Always have qualified personnel perform the installation, troubleshoot-
ing, and maintenance work. Do not perform any electrical work unless
you are qualified to perform such work.
b. Before performing any maintenance work inside a power supply, discon-
nect the power supply from the electrical power source.
c. Maintain cables, grounding wire, connections, power cord, and power
supply in safe working order. Do not operate any equipment in faulty
condition.
d. Donotabuse any equipment or accessories. Keep equipment away from
heat sources such as furnaces, wet conditions such as water puddles,
oil or grease, corrosive atmospheres and inclement weather.
e. Keep all safety devices and cabinet covers in position and in good repair.
f. Use equipment for its intended purpose. Do not modify it in any manner.
. CYLINDER HANDLING -- Cylinders, if mishandled, can rupture and
violently release gas. Sudden rupture of cylinder, valve, or relief device
can injure or kill. Therefore:
a. Usethe proper gas for the process and use the proper pressure reducing
regulator designed to operate from the compressed gas cylinder. Do not
use adaptors. Maintain hoses and fittings in good condition. Follow
manufacturer's operating instructions for mounting regulator to a com-
pressed gas cylinder.
b. Always secure cylinders in an upright position by chain or strap to suitable
hand trucks, undercarriages, benches, walls, post, or racks. Never
secure cylinders to work tables or fixtures where they may become part
of an electrical circuit.
c. When notin use, keep cylinder valves closed. Have valve protection cap
in place if not connected for use. Secure and move cylinders by using
suitable hand trucks. Avoid rough handling of cylinders.
d. Locate cylinders away from heat, sparks, or flame of a welding, cutting,
or gouging operation. Never strike an arc on a cylinder.
e. For additional information, refer to CGA Standard P-1, "Precautions for
Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in Cylinders", which is available
from Compressed Gas Association, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway,
Arlington, VA 22202.
. ADDITIONAL SAFETY INFORMATION -- For more information on safe
practices for setting up and operating electric welding and cutting
equipment and on good working habits, ask your L-TEC welding
equipment supplier for a copy of "Precautions and Safe Practices for
Electric Welding and Cutting", Form 52-529.
The following publications, which are available from the American Welding
Society, 550 N.W. LeJuene Road, Miami, FL 33126, are recommended to you:
a. ANSI/ASC Z49.1 - "Safety in Welding and Cutting"
b. AWS C5.1 - "Recommended Practices for Plasma Arc Welding"
c. AWS C5.2 - "Recommended Practices for Plasma Arc Cutting"
d. AWS C53 - "Recommended Practices for Air Carbon Arc Gouging and
Cutting"
e. AWS C5.5 - "Hecommended Practices for Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
f. AWS C5.6 - "Recommended Practices for Gas Metal Arc Welding"
g. AWS SP - "Safe Practices" - Reprint, Welding Handbook, Vol. 1, 8th
Edition.
SPI