Summary

Health hazards from welding, cutting, and brazing operations include exposures to metal fumes and to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Safety hazards from these operations include;

• Burns,

• Eye damage,

• Electrical shock,

• Cuts, and

• Crushed toes and fingers.

Many of these can be controlled with proper work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Fire Prevention Safeguards

• Fire Hazards should be removed if the welded object cannot be readily moved.

• Guards should be used if removing fire hazards is not possible.

• Restrictions apply (no cutting or welding allowed) if none of the above is possible.

Fire Extinguishers. Suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be maintained in a state of readiness for instant use. Such equipment may consist of pails of water, buckets of sand, hose or portable extinguishers depending upon the nature and quantity of the combustible material exposed.

Welding Safety Precautions

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides basic fire prevention and protection precautions to follow in the welding, cutting and brazing standard found in 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.252(a). Highlights include:

• A responsible individual must inspect the area and identify precautions to be taken preferably on a written Hot Works permit

• Fire extinguishers must be ready for immediate use

• A fire watch lasting at least 30 minutes after the welding or cutting operations is required if more than a minor fire might develop

• All combustibles must be moved 35 feet away or properly protected or shielded