Heat and sparks produced
during electric arc welding
and other metal working
operations can ignite
flammable and explosive materials!
Take all precautions described in this
manual to reduce the possibility of
flames and explosions.
● Remove all flammable materials
within 35 feet (10.7 meters) of
welding arc. If removal is not
possible, tightly cover flammable
materials with fire proof covers.
● Do not operate any electric arc
welder in areas where flammable or
explosive vapors may be present.
● Take precautions to ensure flying
sparks and heat do not cause flames
in hidden areas, cracks, etc.
Fire hazard! Do not weld on
containers or pipes that
contain or have contained
flammable materials or
gaseous or liquid combustibles.
Arc welding closed cylinders
or containers such as tanks
or drums can cause explosion
if not properly vented!
Verify that any cylinder or container to
be welded has an adequate ventilation
hole, so that expanding gases can be
released.
Do not
breathe fumes produced by arc
welding operation. These fumes are
dangerous. If welding area cannot be
adequately ventilated, be sure to use
an air-supplied respirator.
● Keep head and face out of welding
fumes.
● Extremely toxic fumes are
created when galvanized or
cadmium plated metals or metals
which contain zinc, mercury or
beryllium are heated. Complete
the following precautions before
performing electric arc welding
operations on these metals:
a. Remove coating from base metal.
b. Make sure welding area is well
ventilated.
c. Use an air-supplied respirator.
● Install and secure cylinders in an upright
position by chaining them to stationary
support or equipment cylinder rack to
prevent falling or tipping.
● Keep cylinders away from any
welding or other electrical circuits.
● Never allow a welding electrode to
touch any cylinder.
● Use only correct shielding gas
cylinders, regulators, hoses and
fittings designed for the
specific application; maintain
all parts properly.
● Turn face away from valve outlet
when opening cylinder valve.
● Keep protective cap in place over
valve except when cylinder is in use
or connected for use.
● Read and follow instructions on
compressed gas cylinders, associated
equipment, and CGA publication P-1
listed in Safety Standards.
Never
use
flammable gasses with MIG welders.
Only inert or non-flammable gasses
such as carbon dioxide, argon, helium
or mixtures of one or more of these
gasses are suitable for MIG welding.
Never
lift
cylinders off the ground by their valves
or caps or with chains or slings.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS
ANSI Standard Z49.1 from American
Welding Society, 550 N.W. Le June Rd.
Miami, FL 33126
Safety and Health Standards
OSHA 29 CFR 1910, from Superintendent
of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C. 20402
National Electrical Code
NFPA Standard 70, from National Fire
Protection Association, Batterymarch
Park, Quincy, MA 02269
Safe Handling of Compressed Gases
in Cylinders
CGA Pamphlet P-1, from Compressed Gas
Association, 1235 Jefferson Davis
Highway, Suite 501, Arlington, VA 22202
Code for Safety in Welding and
Cutting
CSA Standard W117.2, from Canadian
Standards Association, Standards Sales,
178 Rexdale Boulevard, Rexdale,
Ontario, Canada M9W 1R3
3
The electromagnetic field
generated during arc welding
may interfere with the
operation of various electrical
and electronic devices such as cardiac
pacemakers. Persons using such devices
should consult with their physician prior
to performing any electric arc welding
operations.
● Route torch and work cables
together and secure with tape when
possible.
● Never wrap arc welder cables around
the body.
● Always position torch and work leads
on the same side of the body.
● Exposure to electromagnetic fields
during welding may have other
health effects which are not known.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
This product, when used for
welding, produces fumes or
gases which contain chemicals
known to the State of
California to cause birth defects (or other
reproductive harm) and, in some cases,
cancer (California Health & Safety Code
Section 25249.5 et seq.).
The
power
cord and other cables on this product
contain chemicals, including lead,
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
GENERAL SAFETY
Always be sure welding area
is secure and free of hazards
(sparks, flames, glowing
metal or slag) prior to leaving.
Be sure equipment is turned off and
excess wire is cut off. Be sure cables are
loosely coiled and out of the way. Be
sure all metal and slag has cooled.
Cylinders can explode if
damaged. Shielding gas
cylinders contain gas under
high pressure. If damaged, a
cylinder can explode. Since gas
cylinders are normally part of the
welding process, be sure to treat them
carefully.
● Protect compressed gas cylinders
from excessive heat, mechanical
shocks and arcs.
Models WF2150, WF2154,
WG2160 and WG2164
www.chpower.com
General Safety
(Continued)