TM 55-1930-209-14&P-15
3-8.3 Arc welder
WARNINGS
· Only qualified persons operate and maintain arc welders.
· Do not let work or ground circuits of arc welder touch any bare skin or wet clothing.
· When using welder, always make sure those working with or near the welder wear proper clothing: heavy,
hole-free gloves, heavy shirt, cuffless trousers, high shoes and cap. Keep clothing dry and free of oil and
other flammable substances.
· Use dry heavy canvas drop cloth to cover entire area of physical contact with work and ground when arc
welding.
· Never dip arc welder's electrode holder in water for cooling.
· When arc welding above floor level, be sure to protect yourself against a fall in case of shock.
· Before welding on bulkheads, deckplating, and similar surfaces, always check carefully to make sure the
other side of the surface to be welded does not hide fuel or compressed gas tanks, flammable or hazardous
materials, electrical equipment or wiring.
· When welding on any surface, keep your head out of the fumes and make sure area is well ventilated.
· Do not weld on surfaces that contain fluorine, zinc, lead, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, stainless steel or
mercury. These substances may produce toxic fumes and gases.
· Before welding on surfaces that have been cleaned with cleaning solutions containing chlorinated
hydrocarbons, always wash with water, dry and ventilate area thoroughly.
· Use shield with proper filter lens when welding. Do not allow others near welding operations to assist or
observe without proper eye protection including side shields during slag chipping operations.
· Warn personnel in area during welding operations not to look at arc or expose themselves to hot spatter or
metal.
· Do not cut, heat or weld on or near tanks, drums, containers or vents until proper precautions have been
taken to see that these procedures will not produce flammable or toxic vapors from substances inside.
· Particular caution should be taken when welding on or near fuel oil, toilet and sludge tank vents; chlorination
unit; and inhibitors, descalers and coagulants used in reverse osmosis process. Where possible, remove
affected tanks, drums, containers or vents and wash area with water. Cover surfaces where leaks or spills
may have left hazardous residues with heavy canvas drop cloth and ventilate area thoroughly before
proceeding.
· When welding on chlorination system or other articles in void 2 port, drain system tanks. Fill tanks with
seawater without producing chlorine concentrate. Shut system down and close all valves to the system.
· Wash area thoroughly with water, dry and cover rest of system not to be welded with heavy canvas drop
cloth. Before proceeding, turn on all possible ventilation. This includes vent fan 8 and any other portable
powered ventilation available.
· Never weld on gasoline storage tanks or on acetylene, oxygen, Halon or any tank that contains compressed
gases.
· Never weld on battery units. If you must weld near them, make sure area is well ventilated and batteries are
covered with a heavy canvas drop cloth.
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