Welding & Cutting Safety

1. General - See FM Procedure I:24 Welding & Cutting
   
   
   1. Wear the PPE required for the job.
      
      
   2. Use appropriate mats and shields.
      
      
   3. Keep welding leads and burning hoses clear of passageways.
      
      
   4. Inspect all leads, grounds, clamps, welding machines, hoses, gauges, torches and cylinders before each use. Remove defective equipment from service, tag and notify your supervisor.
      
      
   5. Avoid breathing fumes. Use exhaust fans, blowers or a respirator. (Must have training and fitting to use respirators).
      
      
   6. Do not weld or cut on closed vessels, tanks, etc., which have not been cleaned.
      
      
   7. Each welder is responsible for containing sparks and slag and/or removing combustibles to prevent fires.
      
      
   8. A dry chemical fire extinguisher must be within 30 feet of any welding, cutting or open flame work. Fire extinguisher training is required for all associates who operate welding equipment. All training is to be documented and turned into the Personnel Coordinator.
   
   
2. Electric Welding
   
   
   1. Wear appropriate PPE required for the job.
      
      
      1. Approved goggles shall be worn with at least a #3 filter with a safety lens on both sides of the filter.
         
         
      2. An approved welding helmet shall be worn.
      
      
   2. All hoses, gauges and torches shall be inspected before each use.
      
      
   3. All work must have a separate and adequate ground connection.
      
      
   4. Do not leave a rod in the electrode holder when you lay it down. Put stub in the proper container.
      
      
   5. All ARCS should be shielded in operating areas.
      
      
   6. Never do electric welding from a metal ladder.
      
      
   7. Make sure that the machine is turned off at the end of your shift and that your work area has been cleaned up.
   
   
3. Cutting (gas burning)
   
   
   1. Wear appropriate PPE required for the job.
      
      
      1. Approved goggles shall be worn with at least a #3 filter with a safety lens on both sides of the filter.
         
         
      2. An approved welding helmet shall be worn.
      
      
   2. All hoses, gauges and torches shall be inspected before each use.
      
      
   3. Before connecting regulators to cylinders, carefully open the cylinder valve a crack to blow out any foreign particles. Close the valve. After the regulator is connected, stand to one side of the gauge while the cylinder valve is opened. Open the cylinder valve slowly.
      
      
   4. Be certain that the second stage of the regulator is closed BEFORE opening the cylinder valve.
      
      
   5. Open valves on fuel gas cylinders (propane, acetylene, natural gas) 1/4 turn only. Open oxygen cylinder valves wide open. Valve wrench must be kept in place during use.
      
      
   6. Do not exceed 15 PSI on the torch side of the gauge when using acetylene.
      
      
   7. When lighting a torch, open the gas valve on the torch BEFORE opening the oxygen valve. Use an approved spark lighter. Do not use matches or cigarettes to light a torch.
      
      
   8. Compressed gas cylinders must be tied off vertically to an adequate support while in storage, transit or use.
      
      
   9. Spare oxygen cylinders are to be stored separate from other compressed gases and flammables and must be tied off vertically to an adequate support.
      
      
   10. Do not use compressed gas to clean your clothing or to clean your work area.
       
       
   11. Place cylinders and hoses where they are not exposed to sparks and slag from the cutting operation.