SECTION
1
SAFETY
RULES
FOR
OPERATION
OF
ARC
WELDING
POWER
SOURCE
1-1.
INTRODUCTION
We
learn
by
experience.
Learning
safety
through
per
sonal
experience,
like
a
child
touching
a
hot
stove
is
harmful,
wasteful,
and
unwise.
Let
the
experience
of
oth
ers
teach
you.
Safe
practices
developed
from
experience
in
the
use
of
welding
and
cutting
are
described
in
this
manual.
Re
search,
development,
and
field
experience
have
evolved
reliable
equipment
and
safe
installation,
opera
tion,
and
servicing
practices.
Accidents
occur
when
equipment
is
improperly
used
or
maintained.
The
rea
son
for
the
safe
practices
may
not
always
be
given.
Some
are
based
on
common
sense,
others
may
require
technical
volumes
to
explain.
It
is
wiser
to
follow
the
rules.
Read
and
understand
these
safe
practices
before
at
tempting
to
install,
operate,
or
service
the
equipment.
Comply
with
these
procedures
as
applicable
to
the
par
ticular
equipment
used
and
their
instruction
manuals,
for
personal
safety
and
for
the
safety
of
others.
Failure
to
observe
these
safe
practices
may
cause
seri
ous
injury
or
death.
When
safety
becomes
a
habit,
the
equipment
can
be
used
with
confidence.
These
safe
practices
are
divided
into
two
Sections:
1-General
Precautions,
common
to
arc
welding
and
cut
ting;
and
2-Arc
Welding
(and
Cutting)
(only).
Reference
standards:
Published
Standards
on
safety
are
also
available
for
additional
and
more
complete
pro
cedures
than
those
given
in
this
manual.
They
are
listed
in
the
Standards
Index
in
this
manual.
ANSI
Z49.1
is
the
most
complete.
The
National
Electrical
Code,
Occupational
Safety
and
Health
Administration,
local
industrial
codes,
and
local
inspection
requirements
also
provide
a
basis
for
equip
ment
installation,
use,
and
service.
1-2.
GENERAL
PRECAUTIONS
Difterent
arc
welding
processes,
electrode
alloys,
and
fluxes
can
produce
difterent
fumes,
gases,
and
radiation
levels.
In
addition
to
the
information
in
this
manual,
be
sure
to
consult
flux
and
electrode
manu
facturers
Material
Safety
Data
Sheets
(MSDS5)
for
specific
technical
data
and
precautionary
measures
concerning
their
material.
A.
Burn
Prevention
Wear
protective
clothing-gauntlet
gloves
designed
for
use
in
welding,
hat,
and
high
safety-toe
shoes.
Button
shirt
collar
and
pocket
flaps,
and
wear
cuffless
trousers
to
avoid
entry
of
sparks
and
slag.
Wear
helmet
with
safety
goggles
and
glasses
with
side
shields
underneath,
appropriate
filter
lenses
or
plates
(protected
by
clear
cover
glass).
This
is
a
MUST
for
welding
or
cutting,
(and
chipping)
to
protect
the
eyes
from
radiant
energy
and
flying
metal.
Replace
cover
glass
when
broken,
pitted,
or
spattered.
See
1
-3A.2.
Avoid
oily
or
greasy
clothing.
A
spark
may
ignite
them.
Hot
metal
such
as
electrode
stubs
and
workpieces
should
never
be
handled
without
gloves.
Medical
first
aid
and
eye
treatment.
First
aid
facilities
and
a
qualified
first
aid
person
should
be
available
for
each
shift
unless
medical
facilities
are
close
by
for
immediate
treatment
of
flash
burns
of
the
eyes
and
skin
burns.
Ear
plugs
should
be
worn
when
working
on
overhead
or
in
a
confined
space.
A
hard
hat
should
be
worn
when
others
work
overhead.
Flammable
hair
preparations
should
not
be
used
by
per
sons
intending
to
weld
or
cut.
B.
Toxic
Fume
Prevention
Severe
discomfort,
illness
or
death
can
result
from
fumes,
vapors,
heat,
or
oxygen
enrichment
or
depletion
that
welding
(or
cutting)
may
produce.
Prevent
them
with
adequate
ventilation
as
described
in
ANSI
Standard
Z49.1
listed
in
Standards
Index.
NEVER
ventilate
with
oxygen.
Lead
-,
cadmium
-,zinc-,
mercury-,
and
beryllium-bear
ing
and
similar
materials,
when
welded
(or
cut)
may
pro
duce
harmful
concentrations
of
toxic
fumes.
Adequate
local
exhaust
ventilation
must
be
used,
or
each
person
in
the
area
as
well
as
the
operator
must
wear
an
air-sup
plied
respirator.
For
beryllium,
both
must
be
used.
Metals
coated
with
or
containing
materials
that
emit
toxic
fumes
should
not
be
heated
unless
coating
is
removed
from
the
work
surface,
the
area
is
well
ventilated
and,
if
necessary,
while
wearing
an
air-supplied
respirator.
Work
in
a
confined
space
only
while
it
is
being
ventilated
and,
if
necessary,
while
wearing
an
air-supplied
respira
tor.
Gas
leaks
in
a
confined
space
should
be
avoided.
Leaked
gas
in
large
quantities
can
change
oxygen
con
centration
dangerously.
Do
not
bring
gas
cylinders
into
a
confined
space.
Leaving
confined
space,
shut
OFF
gas
supply
at
source
to
prevent
possible
accumulation
of
gases
in
the
space
if
downstream
valves
have
been
accidentally
opened
or
left
open.
Check
to
be
sure
that
the
space
is
safe
before
re-entering
it.
Vapors
from
chlorinated
solvents
can
be
decomposed
by
the
heat
of
the
arc
(or
flame)
to
form
PHOSGENE,
a
highly
toxic
gas,
and
other
lung
and
eye
irritating
prod
ucts.
The
ultraviolet
(radiant)
energy
of
the
arc
can
also
decompose
trichloroethylene
and
perchloroethylene
va
pors
to
form
phosgene.
DO
NOT
WELD
or
cut
where
sol
vent
vapors
can
be
drawn
into
the
welding
or
cutting
at
mosphere
or
where
the
radiant
energy
can
penetrate
to
OM-113
336
Page
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