Arc welding safety is something that no welder should ignore. Many things can go wrong that can have serious consequences, such as severe injuries or even death. Arc welding comes in several forms - metal-arc, resistance welding, and gas shielded. All kinds can potentially result in injury or death if the proper safety procedures are not followed.
There are some general safety tips that you should always follow when you are going to be doing any arc welding job. Before you begin work, make sure that you do a complete inspection of all the equipment that you are planning to use. Check for things such as frayed wires or water on the equipment. Make sure that you read all of the instruction manuals and warning labels that concern your equipment. You also should always have a fire extinguisher nearby in case there is an emergency. Make sure that all of the welding machines are equipped with power disconnect switches so that you can shut them off quickly and turn them off before you try to make any repairs. Everything should be properly grounded. Any electrode holder that has defective jaws, loose cable connections, or poor insulation should never be used. You also should never strike an arc if anyone without eye protection is nearby.
You must be sure to pay attention to the personal protective equipment that you have. It's a very important part of arc welding safety. A properly fitted welding helmet with the proper grade filter plates is essential for protecting your eyes from infrared radiation, which causes cataracts and retinal burning.
You also need to protect the rest of your body. Wool or treated cotton clothing, a flame proof apron, properly fitted clothes without frays, straight leg pants that cover the tops of the shoes, fire resistant cape or shoulder cover for work done overhead, gloves, and long sleeved shirts are all essential. This will protect you from arc flash and welding splatter. Make sure to keep your clothing free of oil and grease.
Another important part of arc welding safety is proper ventilation. Welding should be done in an area that is at least 10,000 cubic feet with a 16 foot high ceiling, and that is for every welder. The system should be placed where you can get natural drafts or fans blowing the fumes away from your face, or at least across it, but never straight into it. Cross ventilation should not be blocked by equipment or anything else and if possible, welding should not be done in confined areas.
Arc welding safety is also about preventing electrical shocks. Shocks can be deadly. To avoid being shocked, make sure that welding cables are away from power supply cables, are dry, and free of oil and grease. Electrode holders and cables should be well insulated. Wear dry clothing and dry gloves that do not have holes. The welder needs to be insulated from the ground by dry insulation like dry wood or a rubber mat; welding unit frames should be grounded as well. Also remember that you should never change the electrodes with wet gloves or your bare hands.
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