Gas Welding Safety
Most farms and small shops have some type of equipment for welding and cutting metals.
Acetylene is the most commonly used fuel gas. Acetylene is very flammable and hazardous,
and can ignite at a wide range of concentrations. Oxygen won’t burn or explode, but it helps
other objects burn at greater rates. Gases are stored in cylinders which can rupture. A
cylinder containing compressed gas can shoot through the air like a rocket if its valve is
damaged or broken.
Storage and Handling
Keep cylinders away from physical damage, heat, and tampering.
Securely chain equipment to prevent falling.
Store away from flammable and combustible materials.
Store extra gas and oxygen cylinders separately.
Store in an upright position.
Close cylinder valves before moving.
Protective caps or regulators should be kept in place.
Roll cylinders on bottom edges to move—Do not drag.
Allow very little movement when transporting.
General Gas Welding Safety Tips
Inspect equipment for leaks at all connections using approved leak-test solution.
Inspect hoses for leaks and worn places.
Replace bad hoses.
Protect hoses and cylinders from sparks, flames, and hot metal.
Use a flint lighter to ignite the flame.
Stand to the side (away from the regulators) when opening cylinder valves.
Open cylinder valves very slowly to keep sudden high pressures from exploding the
regulators.
Only open the acetylene cylinder valve ¼-¾ turn; leave wrench in place so the cylinder can
be quickly closed in an emergency.
Open and light acetylene first, then open and adjust oxygen to a neutral flame.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for shutting off the torch. If the guidelines are
not readily available, the commonly accepted practice is to close the oxygen valve first.
When finished, close cylinder valves, bleed the lines to take pressure off regulators, neatly
coil hoses, and replace equipment.
Have a fire extinguisher easily accessible at the welding site.
Personal Protective Equipment
Infrared radiation is a cause of retinal burning and cataracts. Protect your eyes with safety
glasses.
Protect your body from welding spatter and optical radiation hazards with protective
clothing. Such as:
Woolen or heavy cotton clothing
Flame-proof apron
Welding gloves
Properly fitted clothing that is not frayed or worn
Shirts should have long sleeves
Pants should be straight legged and covering shoes when arc welding
Fire-resistant welder’s cap or shoulder covers are needed for overhead work
Check protective clothing equipment before each use to make sure it is in good condition.
Keep clothes free of grease and oil.
Proper Ventilation
Be sure there is adequate ventilation available when welding in confined areas or where there
are barriers to air movement. Natural drafts, fans, and positioning of the head can help keep
fumes away from the welder’s face.
VENTILATION IS SUFFICIENT IF**:
The room or welding area contains at least 10,000 cubic feet for each welder.
The ceiling height is not less than 16 feet.
Cross ventilation is not blocked by partitions, equipment, or other structural barriers.
Welding is not done in a confined space.
**If these space requirements are not met then the area needs to be equipped with
mechanical ventilating equipment that exhausts at least 2000 cfm of air for each welder,
except where local exhaust hoods or booths, or air-line respirators are used.
Review the Following Points
Proper personal protective equipment is important.
Acetylene is very flammable.
Inspect all equipment before welding.
If ventilation is not sufficient, then the welding area should be equipped with mechanical
ventilating equipment.
Always have a fire extinguisher ready for immediate use.
ARC WELDING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Arc welding can be hazardous therefore you need to protect yourself and others from possible
serious injury or death.
Keep children away
Pacemaker wearers, consult your doctor first
Have all installation, operation, maintenance and repair work performed only by qualified
people
Prevent Electric Shocks
Touching live electrical parts can cause fatal shocks or severe burns. The electrode and work
circuit is electrically live whenever the output is on.
The input power circuit and machine internal circuits are also live when power is on. In
semi-automatic or automatic wire welding, the wire, wire reel, drive roll housing, and all metal
parts touching the welding wire are electrically live. Incorrectly installed or improperly grounded
equipment is a hazard. Therefore:
Do not touch live electrical parts.
Wear dry, hole-free insulating gloves and body protection.
Insulate yourself from work and ground using dry insulating
Disconnect input power or stop engine before installing or
Properly install and ground this equipment according to its Owner's Manual and national
and local codes.
When making input connections, attach proper grounding conductor first.
Turn off all equipment when not in use.
Do not use worn, damaged, undersized, or poorly spliced cables.
Do not wrap cables around your body.
Ground the workpiece to a good electrical (earth) ground.
Do not touch electrode if in contact with the work or ground.
Use only well-maintained equipment. Repair or replace damaged parts at once.
Wear a safety harness if working above floor level.
Keep all panels and covers securely in place.
Protect Eyes, Skin & Ears
Arc rays can burn eyes and skin and noise can damage hearing permanently. Always protect
yourself and that you:
Use approved earplugs or ear muffs if noise level is high.
Wear a welding helmet fitted with a proper shade of filter lens (see ANSI Z49.1 listed in
Safety Standards) to protect your face and eyes when welding or watching.
Wear approved safety glasses. Side shields recommended.
Use protective screens or barriers to protect others from flash and glare; warn others not
to watch the arc.
Protect Against Fumes and Gases
Fumes and gases can be hazardous to your health. Ensure that you:
Keep your head out of the fumes.
Do not breathe the fumes.
If inside, ventilate the area and/or use extractor at the arc to remove welding fumes and
gases.
Protect Against Fire or Explosion
Welding can cause fire or explosion, ensure that you:
Protect yourself and others from flying sparks and hot metal.
Do not weld where flying sparks can strike flammable material.
Remove all flammables within 10m of the welding arc. If this is not possible, tightly
cover them with approved covers.
Protect Against Flying Sparks and Hot Metal
Flying sparks and hot metal can cause injury. Chipping and grinding cause flying metal. As
welds cool, they can throw off slag. Always ensure that you:
Wear approved face shield or safety goggles. Side shields recommended.
Wear proper body protection to protect skin.
Protect Against exploding Cylinders
Cylinders can explode if damaged. Always ensure that you:
Keep cylinders away from any welding or other electrical circuits.
Never allow a welding electrode to touch any cylinder.
Install and secure cylinders in upright position by chaining them to a stationary support or
equipment cylinder rack to prevent falling or tipping.
Protect Against Injury
Moving parts can cause injury. Always ensure that you:
Keep away from pinch points such as drive rolls.
Keep all doors, panels, covers and guards closed and securely in place.
Pacemakers
Magnetic fields from high currents can affect pacemaker operation. Pacemaker wearers should
keep away from arc welding equipment.
