SAFETY IN THE WELDING SHOP

LEARNING GOALS

• We can…
• Describe appropriate personal protective equipment

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• Describe safety hazards associated welding

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• Identify ways to avoid and prevent accidents while welding

WHAT IS YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARD SAFETY?

• Boring

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• “I know, I know….”

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• Important

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• “Just something to get through.”

ACCIDENTS

• Can be caused by…
• Stress
• Illness
• Fatigue
• Lack of knowledge
• Age
• Lack of wisdom
• Poor attitude
• Drugs
• Equipment Failure
• Time of Day
• Housekeeping

DANGERS

• Fumes & Gases

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• Electric Shock

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• Arc Rays

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• Fire & Heat

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• Noise

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Draw a person wearing all of the proper protective equipment for arc welding. Label all pieces necessary.

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You have 60 seconds.

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Go!

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

1. Safety Glasses

2. Welding Helmet

3. Denim Jeans

4. Welding Jacket

5. Leather Boots

6. Welding Gloves

7. Hearing Protection

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

• Safety Glasses – absolute must
• You will receive a 0 for the day if you are not wearing safety glasses
• Z87

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• Welding Helmets
• Higher number = darker lens
• SMAW/GMAW = 10 O/A=5
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• OA = 5

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

• Jeans
• Cannot be cuffed or frayed
• No holes
• Bootcut

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• Long sleeves or welding jacket
• No hooded sweatshirts
• No loose fitting clothing

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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

• Leather boots
• No tennis shoes or sandals

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• Welding gloves
• Not when there are moving parts
• Actual welding gloves – not just leather gloves

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• Hearing protection
• Not always required

FUMES AND GASES

FUMES AND GASES

• Fumes can displace oxygen in the air

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• Fumes can come from electrodes or from the base metal

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• See product labeling and MSDS for ventilation and respirator requirements metal

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• Do not weld if you do not have proper ventilation

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So, what should I do?

• Turn on ventilation system
• Open doors and windows
• Wear a respirator

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ELECTRIC SHOCK

ELECTRIC SHOCK

• Any welding method that requires electricity

can cause electric shock

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• Water, damp clothing and the moisture in skin

can all heighten the risk

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So, what should I do?

• Always disconnect all power before servicing
• Do not touch the electrode or metal parts of the electrode holder with skin or wet clothing
• Make sure all cables are in good condition and are well insulated

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ARC RAYS

ARC RAYS

• Arc rays are brighter than the sun’s rays

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• Arc rays can injure eyes and burn skin

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So, what should I do?

• Set the correct shade on your helmet
• Wear long pants and shirt
• Ensure your neck is covered
• Close the welding booth curtains

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NOISE

NOISE

• Welding is loud but procedures associated with SMAW can be even louder
• Chipping Welds
• Grinding Welds

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• So, what should I do?
• Wearing ear plugs or ear muffs
• Avoiding chipping at the same time as others

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FIRE AND HEAT

FIRE AND HEAT - SPARKS

• Welding sparks can cause:
• Burns
• Fires
• Explosions

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• All metal should be considered HOT

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• Always use pliers to pick up metal
• It will ruin gloves and burn your fingers

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FIRE AND HEAT - SPARKS

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• So what should I do?
• Remove all flammable materials
• Grease, oil, gasoline, etc
• Handle metal with pliers only
• Treat all metal as if it is hot
• Chip metal away from yourself

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• Air Cylinder Rocket:

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Fire & Heat

• So, what should I do?
• Store cylinders in an upright position

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• Fastened to a wall or welding cart

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• Keep the safety cap on

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• Move by rolling on the bottom edge – use both hands

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• Use a soapy solution to check welding hoses

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• Ensure check valves and flashback arrestors are installed

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• Only use at an appropriate pressure

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Fire & Heat - Cylinders

Fire Triangle

FIRE CLASSIFICATIONS

• Class A: Solids (paper, wood, cloth)

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• Class B: Combustible liquids (gas, oil, paint thinner)

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• Class C: Electrical (switches, fuse boxes, motors)

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• Class D: Combustible metals (titanium, magnesium)

TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• Water (APW)

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• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

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• Dry Chemical (ABC, BC, or DC)

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• Class D

WHAT TYPE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS DO WE HAVE AND WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

BURN HAZARDS

• First Degree: Outer surface of skin
• Cold water or cold water compress

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• Second Degree: Small breaks in skin and blisters
• Cold water or cold water compress
• Sterile bandage
• Do not apply anything else
• Consult doctor

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• Third Degree: White or charred skin, nerve and vessel damage
• No cold water or compress
• Do not remove clothing
• Do not apply ointment
• Cover with sterile bandage
• Take to nearest hospital

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HOUSEKEEPING

HOUSEKEEPING

• Should be kept clean at all times

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• Combustibles (wood, paper, rags, and flammable liquid) should be kept clear of all welders and welding sparks

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• All tools have their place on the tool wall

SAFE PRACTICES

• Remove all flammable materials before welding or cutting

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• Always check hoses and lines for cracks

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• Use a screen or curtain to protect others from flying sparks or harmful rays

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• Never weld a completely closed container

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• Never use oxygen as a substitute for compressed air

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• Treat every piece of metal as if it is hot

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• Never weld if you are wet or if the floor is wet

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REPORT IMMEDIATELY

If anything occurs that may be unsafe or if you are injured, report to your instructor immediately!!

A Clean Shop Is

A Safe Shop