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OM-2248 Page 4
1-5. Principal Safety Standards
Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, ANSI Standard Z49.1,
from Global Engineering Documents (phone: 1-877-413-5184, website:
www.global.ihs.com).
Recommended Practices for Plasma Arc Cutting, American Welding
Society Standard AWS C5.2, from Global Engineering Documents
(phone: 1-877-413-5184, website: www.global.ihs.com).
Recommended Safe Practices for the Preparation for Welding and Cut-
ting of Containers That Have Held Hazardous Substances, American
Welding Society Standard AWS F4.1, from Global Engineering Docu-
ments (phone: 1-877-413-5184, website: www.global.ihs.com).
National Electrical Code, NFPA Standard 70, from National Fire Protec-
tion 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 Bou-
levard, Rexdale, Ontario, Canada M9W 1R3.
Safe Practices For Occupation And Educational Eye And Face Protec-
tion, ANSI Standard Z87.1, from American National Standards Institute,
1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.
Cutting And Welding Processes, NFPA Standard 51B, from National
Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.
Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot
Work, NFPA Standard 51B, from National Fire Protection Association,
P.O. Box 9101, 1 Battery March Park, Quincy, MA 02269−9101 (phone:
617−770−3000, website: www.nfpa.org).
OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry,
Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1910, Subpart Q, and
Part 1926, Subpart J, from U.S. Government Printing Office, Superin-
tendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250 (there
are 10 Regional Offices−−phone for Region 5, Chicago, is
312−353−2220, website: www.osha.gov).
1-6. EMF Information
Considerations About Welding Or Cutting And The Effects Of Low
Frequency Electric And Magnetic Fields
Welding or cutting current, as it flows through the welding or cutting
cables, will cause electromagnetic fields. There has been and still is
some concern about such fields. However, after examining more than
500 studies spanning 17 years of research, a special blue ribbon
committee of the National Research Council concluded that: “The body
of evidence, in the committee’s judgment, has not demonstrated that
exposure to power-frequency electric and magnetic fields is a human-
health hazard.” However, studies are still going forth and evidence
continues to be examined. Until the final conclusions of the research are
reached, you may wish to minimize your exposure to electromagnetic
fields when welding or cutting.
To reduce magnetic fields in the workplace, use the following proce-
dures:
1. Keep cables close together by twisting or taping them.
2. Arrange cables to one side and away from the operator.
3. Do not coil or drape cables around your body.
4. Keep cutting power source and cables as far away from operator
as practical.
5. Connect work clamp to workpiece as close to the cut as possible.
About Pacemakers:
Pacemaker wearers consult your doctor before welding/cutting or going
near welding/cutting operations. If cleared by your doctor, then following
the above procedures is recommended.