Welding, Cutting,

And Brazing

Session Objectives
You will be able to:
Identify major safety and health hazards of
welding
Select appropriate PPE for welding, cutting,
and brazing
Implement controls to prevent or control
fires

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Types of Welding
Welding includes 60 or
more process
variations
Electric welding and
oxy-fuel gas welding
Welding/cutting occurs
at most businesses at
some point

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Welding Hazards
Firescaused by

unsafe welding or
cutting operations
Burns
Electric Shock
Light radiation
ultraviolet, infrared,
and intense visible light
Air Contaminants
(gases, fumes, smoke)

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Basic Fire Prevention

Inspect welding area before starting
Remove fire hazards
Install guards
Welding or cutting must NOT take place unless

hazards removed or guards installed

Obtain a hot work permit before starting
operations to ensure that all fire hazards are
controlled
Post a fire watch person 1/2 hour after operation
ceases
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Fire Prevention (cont.)

Never weld in

explosive atmospheres
Do not weld on used
containers
Test potentially
explosive containers
for flammable
atmospheres
Shut off cylinder valves
when not in use

Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0507

Ventilation
Three factors govern the amount of

contamination to which welders may be

exposed:
Dimensions of the space
Number of welders
Possible evolution of hazardous fumes

Management must ensure welders have

proper protection and ventilation

Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0507

Oxygen-Fuel Gas Welding

Acetylene
Flammable
Unstable
Cannot be used above 15 psi

Oxygen
Added to support fuel gas flame and obtain high
temperature for melting steel (welding)

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Basic Rules for

Oxy-acetylene Welding

Ensure the safety fuse plug or disk is

functional
Attach regulator
Stand to one side of regulator
Open cylinder valve slowly
Not more than 15 psi

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Basic Rules for

Oxy-acetylene Welding (cont.)
Purge oxygen and acetylene lines
Light the acetylene
Never use oil or grease near oxygen
Do not use oxygen to clean or blow off dirt
or clothing
Keep your work area clean

Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0507

Store Gas Cylinders Safely

The storage area must be well ventilated
Keep fuel cylinders 20 feet or more from

combustibles
Close valves, ensure valves are protected
Limit inside storage to 2,000 cubic feet
Store cylinders in the upright position and
secured from falling
Separate oxygen from fuel gas

Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0507

Follow Gas Cylinder

Precautions

Never lift cylinders by the service valve or

valve protection (use slings, net, or other
approved means)
Keys, handles, and hand wheels must be
present
Use the proper regulator
Open acetylene valve no more than 11/2
turns
If in doubt about a cylinder, dont use it

Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0507

Use Protective Devices

Pressure relief valves,

backflow preventers or
check valves
Flash back arrestors
Fuel gas hosered
(sometimes black)
Oxygen hosegreen
Hose protection
required
Pressure-reducing
regulators

Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0507

Protect Yourself
Keep working surfaces clean and clear
Light torches with a striker, not a lighter!
Wear face and eye protection
Use safety glasses under welding hood and
burning goggles with proper shading

Wear protective body clothing

Avoid synthetic clothing
Use leather gloves with gauntlet

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Lens Shades
Generally, use a 45
shade for:
Torch brazing
Oxy-fuel gas
cutting/welding

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Oxy-Acetylene Welding
Any Questions?

Any questions about oxy-acetylene welding

safety?

Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0507

Arc WeldingCommon
Processes
Shielded metal arc

welding (stick welding)

Gas metal arc welding
(MIG welding)
Gas tungsten arc
welding (TIG welding)
Flux cored arc welding
Submerged arc
welding
Arc cutting
Plasma arc cutting

Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0507

Arc Welding Hazards and

Safety Measures
Hazards

Arc gives off ultraviolet and infrared rays the same

as those causing sunburn
Exposure within several inches to a few feet can
cause flash burn to eyes and skin

Safety measures
Avoid wet or damp areaspromotes electric
shock hazard
Avoid oil, grease, and flammables as they pose a
fire hazard
Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0507

Shielding and Flash

Screens
Air must be kept away
from weld area
Shielding protects the
integrity of the weld
joint
Flux or gas mixture is
used as a shield
Welders need to erect
flash screens around
them to protect others
in area
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Maintain Equipment
Properly

Welding machines must be grounded

Work area must be dry and free of hazards
Connections must be tightly made
Cable splices within 10 feet of holder are

prohibited
Cables must be maintained and conductors
well insulated

Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0507

Protect Yourself
Wear welding helmets with proper shading
depending on type of arc
DO NOT use brazing goggles
Wear safety glasses under helmet
Wear leather gloves with gauntlets
Use ventilation or respirators
Wear leather bibs, sleeves, or jackets to
prevent burns from slag, sparks, and
ultraviolet
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Lens Shades
Generally, use a 1014
shade for:
Shielded metal arc
Gas metal arc
Gas tungsten arc

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Arc WeldingAny
Questions?

Any questions about arc welding?

Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0507

Key Points to Remember

Major hazards include:
Fire
Burns
Shock
Toxic exposures

Follow proper procedures to prevent fires

Use appropriate engineering controls
Wear appropriate PPE
Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0507