ARC WELDING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS FROM POSSIBLE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.  READ AND UNDERSTAND BOTH THE SPECIFIC INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE OPERATING MANUAL FOR THE WELDER AND/OR OTHER EQUIPMENT TO BE USED AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING GENERAL INFORMATION. 1.  HAVE ALL INSTALLATION, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORK performed only by qualified people. 2.  ELECTRIC SHOCK can kill. Protect yourself from possible dangerous electrical shock: a. The electrode and work (or ground) circuit are electrically - “hot” when the welder is on Never permit contact between “hot” parts of the circuits and bare skin or wet clothing Wear dry, hole-free gloves to Insulate hands. b. Always insulate yourself from the work and ground by using dry  insulation  When  welding  In  damp  locations.    on  metal floors, gratings or scaffolds.  and when in positions (such as sitting or lying).  make certain the insulation r large enough to  cover  your  full  area  of  physical  contact  with  work  and ground. c. Maintain  the  electrode  holder,  work  clamp.    welding  cable and welding machine In good, safe operating condition d. Never dip the electrode holder In water for cooling. e. Never   simultaneously    touch    electrically    'hot"    parts    of electrode holders connected to two welders because voltage between the two can be the total of the open circuit voltage of both welders. f. If   using   the   welder   as   a   power   source   for   mechanized welding, the above precautions also apply for the automatic electrode.        electrode    reel,    welding    head,    nozzle    or semiautomatic welding gun g. When working above floor level.  protect yourself from a fall should you get a shock. h. Ground the work or metal to be welded  to a good electrical ground. i. Also see Item 7. 3.  FUMES AND GASES can be dangerous to your health. a. Welding may produce fumes and gases hazardous to health Avoid   breathing   these   fumes   and   gases   When   welding. keep  your  head  out  of  the  fume  Use  enough  ventilation and/or  exhaust  at  the  arc  to  keep  fumes  and  gases  away from the breathing zone When welding on galvanized, lead or  cadmium  plated  steel  and  other  metals  which  produce toxic fumes, even greater care must be taken. b. Do  not  weld  in  locations    near   Chlorinated   hydrocarbon vapors    coming    from    degreasing    cleaning    or    spraying operations  The  heat  and  rays  of  the  arc  can  react  with solvent vapors to form phosgene a highly toxic gas and other irritating products c. Also see Item 8b. 4.  ARC RAYS can Injure eyes and burn skin. a. Use a shield with the proper filter and cover plates to protect your eyes from sparks and the rays of the arc when welding or observing open arc welding Filter lens should conform to ANSI Z87.1 standards. b. Use   suitable   clothing   made   from   durable   flame-resistant material  to  protect  your  skin  and  that  of  your  helpers  from the arc rays. c. Protect other nearby personnel with suitable non-flammable screening and/or warn them not to watch the arc nor expose themselves to the arc rays or to hot spatter or metal. 5.  FIRE OR EXPLOSION can cause death or property damage. a. Remove fire hazards well away from the area. If this is not possible  cover  them  to  prevent  the  welding  sparks  from staffing   a   fire   Remember   that   welding   sparks   and   hot materials  from  welding  can  easily  go  through  small  cracks and   openings   to   adjacent   areas   Have   fire   extinguisher readily available. b. Where  compressed  gases  are  to  be  used  at  the  job  site. special  precautions  should  be  used  to  prevent  hazardous situations  Refer  to  "Safety  in  Welding  and  Cutting"  (ANSI Standard   Z49   1)   and   the   operating   information   for   the equipment being used. c. When  not  welding,  make  certain  no  part  of  the  electrode circuit is touching the work or ground Accidental contact can cause overheating and create a fire hazard. d. Do not heat, cut or weld tanks, drums or containers until the proper steps have been taken to insure that such procedures will  not  cause  flammable  or  toxic  vapors  from  substances inside They can cause an explosion even though they have been  "cleaned  "  For  information  purchase  “Recommended Safe Practices for the Preparation fur Welding and Cutting of Containers     and     Piping     That     Have     Held     Hazardous Substances".    AWS  F4  1-80  from  the  American  Welding Society, Miami Florida 33125 e Vent hollow castings or containers before heating.  cutting or welding.  They may explode f. Also see Items 6c and 8c. Additional Safety Precautions 6.  For Welding In General. a. Droplets of molten slag and metal are thrown or fall from the welding arc Protect yourself with oil free protective garments such  as  leather  gloves,  heavy  shirt,  cuffless  trousers,  high shoes  and  a  cap  over  your  hair.    Wear  ear  plugs  when welding  out  of  position  or  in  confined  places  Always  wear safety glasses when in a welding area Use glasses with side shields when near slag chipping operations. b. Keep  all  equipment  safety  guards,  covers  and  devices  in position and in good repair.  Keep hands, hair clothing and tools  away  from  V-belts,  gears,  fans  and  all  other  moving parts when starting operating or repairing equipment. c. Be sure the work cable is connected to the work as close to the welding area as practical Work cables connected to the building  framework  or  other  locations  some  distance  from the   welding   area   Increase   the   possibility   of   the   welding current passing through lifting chains crane cables or other alternate circuits.  This can create tire hazards or overheat lifting chains or cables until they fall. 7.  For Electrically Powered Equipment. a. Disconnect  and  lock  out  all  electric  power  sources  before doing any work on the equipment. b. Make   the   electrical   Installation   in   accordance   with   the National Electrical Code and all local codes. c. Properly   ground   the   equipment   in   accordance   with   the National Electrical Code and the manufacturers recommendations . 8.  For Engine Powered Equipment. a. Turn the engine off before troubleshooting and maintenance work unless the maintenance work requires it to be running. b. Operate internal combustion engines In open well-ventilated areas or vent the engine exhaust fumes outdoors. c. Do not add the fuel near an open flame or when the engine is running Stop the engine and if possible, allow It to cool to prevent spilled fuel from Igniting on contact with hot engine parts or electrical sparks Do not spill fuel when filling tank It fuel is spilled wipe it up and do not start engine until fumes have been eliminated. d. To   prevent   accidentally   starting   gasoline   engines   while turning the engine or welding generator during maintenance work   disconnect   the   spark   plug   wires   distributor   cap   or magneto wire as appropriate. e. To avoid scalding, do not remove the radiator pressure cap when the engine is hot. For more detailed Information It Is strongly recommended that you purchase a copy of "Safety in Welding & Cutting" - ANSI Standard Z49.1" from the American Welding Society, P.O.  Box 351040 4/82 Miami, Florida 33135. -2-