Welding SafetySMAW

Construction, Transportation, Manufacturing, Natural Resources

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

1) SPARKS

2) HEAT

3) LIGHT

4) FUMES

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

GOGGLES, HELMET, SAFTEY GLASSES, EAR PLUGS

FLAME RETARDANT CLOTHING

GLOVES

SAFETY FOOTWARE

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

A welding arc gives off these 3 types of radiation:

1. Bright visible light

2. Non-visible infra-red radiation

3. Non-visible ultra-violet radiation

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Looking at an unscreened arc without proper eye protection

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

A BURNING SENSATION AND AN IRRITAION SIMILAR TO THAT CAUSED BY SAND IN THE EYES

A SUNBURN TO THE CORNEA LAYER ON YOUR EYE

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Page 154Lowest Shade

NumberComfort Shade

NumberConestoga College

Recommended

Under 60 7 - 8

60 - 160 7 10 10 - 12

160 - 250 10 12 11 - 13

Above 250 11 14 13 -14

Welding lens shade is selected based on welding amperage – WHY?

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

1) WHEN FIRST DEPOSITED IT IS VERY HOT

2) WHEN COOL IT BECOMES SOLID AND HARD

CARE MUST BE TAKEN WHEN CHIPPING OFF THE SLAG

MAKE SURE THE SLAG DOES NOT STRIKE YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE

Arc Welding Safety – Unit #8

Classifications

◦ First-degree burns Skin surface is reddish, tender, and painful Do not involve broken skin Immediate treatment: cold water or compress

◦Second-degree burns Skin is severely damaged Result in blisters and possibly breaks Immediate treatment: cold water or compress

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

FIGURE 2-1 First-degree burn—only the skin surface (epidermis) is affected. © Cengage Learning 2012

FIGURE 2-2 Second-degree burn—the epidermal layer is damaged, forming blisters or shallow breaks.© Cengage Learning 2012

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Classifications (CONT’D.)

Third-degree burns Skin surface appears white or charred Immediate treatment: cold cloth or cool water on burns

of the face, hands, or feet and cover

◦Burns caused by light Types of light: ultraviolet, infrared, and visible Ultraviolet light waves: most dangerous

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

FIGURE 2-3 Third-degree burn—the epidermis, dermis, and the subcutaneous layers of tissue are destroyed.© Cengage Learning 2012

FIGURE 2-4 Portable welding curtains.Frommelt Safety Products

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Should minimize burn chances◦Wool is the best choice◦All-cotton is a good second choice◦Stay away from synthetic material – burn/melt stick

Guidelines◦Shirts: long-sleeved, collared, long enough to tuck in,

and flapped pockets◦Pants: cover top of boots and without cuffs◦Boots: high tops and steel toes◦Caps: thick

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Includes:◦Hand protection: all-leather, gauntlet-type gloves◦Body protection: full leather jackets and capes ◦Waist and lap protection: bib or full aprons◦Arm protection: full- or half-sleeves◦ Leg and foot protection: leather pants or leather aprons

with leggings

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Equipment should be certified by NIOSH, CSA (National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, Canadian Standards Association etc)

◦Air-purifying respirators◦Atmosphere-supplying respirators◦Demand respirators◦Positive pressure respirators◦Powered air-purifying respirators◦Self-contained breathing apparatuses◦Supplied-air respirators◦ Filtering face piece

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

FIGURE 2-14 Typical respirator for contaminated environments. The filters can be selected for specific types of contaminant.

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Actual welding area ◦Should be outside or well-ventilated

Natural ventilation is the best Forced ventilation may be required

Forced ventilation◦Required in small shops or shops with a large number of

welders◦May be general or localized

Using fixed or flexible exhaust pickups

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Electric shock ◦Can cause injuries and even death

Proper precautions must be taken

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

1) TURN OFF MACHINES WHEN NOT IN USE

2) WEAR GLOVES WHEN HANDLING EQUIPMENT

3) KEEP EQUIPMENT DRY

4) BEWARE OF DAMPNESS OF ANY KIND

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Ear protection◦Earplugs◦Disposable ear plugs available in shop to all students

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Lighters State of Equipment Handling Material Work Area Tidiness

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

DO NOT CARRY MATCHES OR LIQUID FUEL LIGHTERS IN YOUR POCKET

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

BY HOLDING THE PALM OF THE HAND, ABOVE THE PIECE OF METAL

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Welding shops generate waste materials ◦Mostly scrap metal◦All scrap metal can be easily recycled

Good for the environment Source of revenue

◦Hazardous waste disposal Consult local, provincial, and federal regulations

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

AT APPROXIAMETELY 50 MM (2 INCHES)

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Should be kept picked up and swept clean

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Fire: constant danger to the welder

Fire watch◦Provided by anyone who knows how to sound the

alarm and use a fire extinguisher

Fire extinguishers◦Type A, B, C, and D (type C best for weld shop)◦Should be located near materials◦Work by breaking the fire triangle of heat, fuel, and

oxygen

End Chapter # 1

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Welding fumes should be ventilated away from the person welding, not across the welder's face.

Avoid arc flash; Report all eye flashes Electrode stubs and slag are sources of danger Welding fumes are harmful. Work in well-ventilated areas to prevent suffocation or fume sickness. Never wear synthetic fibre clothing or weld with flammables in your

pocket. Synthetic fibres’ are highly flammable. If ignited by a welding spark,

flammable (i.e. matches, butane lighters, fuel sticks, etc.) could cause serious burns.

Avoid electrical shock. Make certain that the electrode holder and all electrical connections

and cables are properly insulated.

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

Check to see that the welder is properly grounded. Never weld in damp locations because of the shock hazard. Gloves help to insulate against possible shock. Keep the cables from coming in contact with hot metal and sharp

edges. Do not drive over cables. When welding, avoid wrapping electrode cables around your body. To reduce fatigue, use both hands for welding. Handle hot metal with pliers or tongs. Submerge hot metal completely in water to prevent steam burns. Do not allow electrode to stick.

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2

If the electrode sticks, cut off the switch, allow electrode to cool, and then break it loose with your gloved hand.

Never allow the hot electrode or electrode holder to touch bare skin. Avoid letting the electrode touch the grounded cable. Remove hot metal from the work area when you are finished

welding to prevent burns to others. Use a welding table to hold welds securely in place. Clamps and vices can be used to hold odd-shaped work or field

work. Securing work will also prevent injury from accidental dropping of

metal on your feet or body

SMAW Safety In Welding – Chapter #2