Welding Safety

Portable Welding Equipment

Do not use personal or employee-owned power tools and portable appliances while at work.
Do not perform welding tasks while wearing wet cotton gloves or wet leather gloves.
Use the insulated work gloves when using welding equipment.
Do not use the welding apparatus if the power cord is cut, frayed, split or otherwise visibly damaged or modified.
When replacing power plugs and cords of the welding apparatus, always check to ensure that the ground wire is connected and the notches on the power plug prongs are not worn off, allowing the plug to be inserted backward.

Welding/Cutting/Brazing

Obey all signs posted in the welding area.
Do not leave oily rags, paper or other combustible materials in the welding, cutting or brazing area.
Use the red hose for gas fuel and the green hose for oxygen.
Do not use worn or cracked hoses.
Do not use oil, grease or other lubricants on the regulator.
"Blow Out" hoses before attaching the torch.
"Blow Out" the cylinder valve before attaching or reattaching a hose to the cylinder.
Do not use a cigarette lighter to ignite torches; use friction lighters only.
Do not wear contact lenses when you are welding.
When welding, wear welding gloves, a long sleeve shirt, long pants, a welding apron and the welding helmet that has filter plates and lenses.
Do not change electrodes using your bare hands; use the dry rubber gloves.
"Bleed" oxygen and fuel lines at the end of the workshift.
Use the welding cart that has a safety chain or cable when transporting cylinders used for welding.

Oxyacetylene Welding

Do not use oxygen cylinders in areas where oils or any combustible liquids such as diesel fuel or motor fuel are present.
Turn the valve on the torch clockwise to turn off the gas before putting down the welding or cutting torch.
Never allow pressure to remain in the hoses over night:
Turn the valve knobs located at the base of the torch handle, clockwise, to close the valves.
Turn the valve knobs on the oxygen and acetylene cylinders, clockwise, to close the valves on these cylinders.
.Reduce the pressure on the regulator diaphragms by pulling back on the T-handles, out from the regulator, until the T-handles turn easily; do not completely back the T-handles out from the regulator.
Turn the valve knobs at the base of the torch, counterclockwise, to open the valves; leave the valves open for only two seconds, then turn the valve knobs clockwise to close the valves again. If you do not observe a drop in pressure on the regulator gages, repeat steps a.-b.

If the cylinder has been transported in a horizontal position, do not use it until it has been stored upright for two hours. Hydraulic/Pneumatic Tools
Do not point a charged compressed air hose at bystanders or use it to clean your clothing.
Lock and/or tag tools "Out of Service" to prevent usage of the tool.
Do not use tools that have handles with burrs or cracks.
Do not use compressors if their belt guards are missing. Replace the belt guards before using the compressor.
Turn the power switch of the tool to "Off" and let it come to a complete stop before leaving it unattended.
Disconnect the tool from the air line before making any adjustments or repairs to the tool.