6.5 Safety, Protective Clothing, and Shielding
Before you proceed further with the study of shielded metal arc welding, you should study safety. Refer to Chapter 1 on safety and to the following specifics about shielded metal arc welding.
Arc welding should be performed using the proper safety equipment to minimize great safety hazards. Welders should learn the correct procedures for arc welding so that the hazards that do exist can be properly recognized and injury avoided. The chief hazards to be avoided in arc welding are:
Face, hands, arms, and other skin surfaces must be covered. Wear gloves and keep other parts of the body covered by clothing of sufficient weight to shut out the rays from the arc. Without proper clothing, a person can receive burns comparable to sunburn. |
The arc welding operation should be shielded so that no one can accidentally look directly at the arc or have it shine or reflect into their eyes. Arc flash can cause temporary blindness. Arc flash causes the victim to see a white spot similar to the effect of a photographer's flash.
The severity of an arc flash and the time it will take to recover varies with the length of time the person was exposed to the arc. Long exposure has been known to cause permanent damage to the retina of the eye. If someone is exposed to severe arc flash, they should seek professional medical treatment immediately.
Arc welding is usually accompanied by flying sparks. These present a hazard if they strike unprotected skin, lodge on flammable clothing, or hit other flammable material. It is advisable to wear suitable weight clothing and cuffless trousers made from flame-resistant materials like cotton and leather. See Figure 6-11.
The severity of an arc flash and the time it will take to recover varies with the length of time the person was exposed to the arc. Long exposure has been known to cause permanent damage to the retina of the eye. If someone is exposed to severe arc flash, they should seek professional medical treatment immediately.
Arc welding is usually accompanied by flying sparks. These present a hazard if they strike unprotected skin, lodge on flammable clothing, or hit other flammable material. It is advisable to wear suitable weight clothing and cuffless trousers made from flame-resistant materials like cotton and leather. See Figure 6-11.
Pockets should be covered so they will not collect sparks. Remove flammable materials, such as matches, lighters, plastic combs, or pens. High shoes with safety toes should be worn.
Electric shock hazards during welding can be avoided by working on a dry floor, using insulated electrode holders, and wearing dry welding gloves. Avoid using arc welding equipment in wet or damp areas.
The health hazard of fumes developed by the electrode covering and molten metal, may be avoided by the use of proper ventilating equipment. Certain special jobs require forced airflow (ventilation) into the welder's helmet. The fumes generated in the welding arc may contain poisonous metal oxides. Arc welding should never be done in an area which is not well-ventilated.
Hot metal can cause severe burns. Welders should wear leather gloves with tight-fitting wrists that overlap the sleeves of the jacket. Many welders wear an apron of leather or other heavy material for protection. Hot metal should be handled with tongs or pliers. In a welding shop, all metal should be treated as if it is hot.
Electric shock hazards during welding can be avoided by working on a dry floor, using insulated electrode holders, and wearing dry welding gloves. Avoid using arc welding equipment in wet or damp areas.
The health hazard of fumes developed by the electrode covering and molten metal, may be avoided by the use of proper ventilating equipment. Certain special jobs require forced airflow (ventilation) into the welder's helmet. The fumes generated in the welding arc may contain poisonous metal oxides. Arc welding should never be done in an area which is not well-ventilated.
Hot metal can cause severe burns. Welders should wear leather gloves with tight-fitting wrists that overlap the sleeves of the jacket. Many welders wear an apron of leather or other heavy material for protection. Hot metal should be handled with tongs or pliers. In a welding shop, all metal should be treated as if it is hot.