1. Welding, Cutting and Brazing

2. Compressed Gases
Covered in Subpart H, but an integral part of welding, cutting and brazing
Compressed gases-hazards
compressed energy
flammable, asphyxiants, oxidizers
Gases are used for cutting, brazing and “shielding” the weld

3. Cylinder Inspection
DOT requirement--most compressed gas cylinders must be periodically tested/recertified
Ref. 49 CFR
All cylinders contain markings/symbols that indicate recertification status

4. Specific Gases
Acetylene, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrous oxide, anhydrous ammonia, and liquefied petroleum gas all have specific regulations that apply to them
Ref series

5. Fire Prevention-Basic Precautions
Fire hazards must be removed, or
Guards shall be installed, or
Welding/cutting must NOT take place
Hot work permit should be used to ensure all fire hazards are controlled

6. Precautions Fire extinguishers must be charged/present
Use of fire watchers
1/2 hour after operation ceases
Never weld in the presence of explosive atmospheres
Not on used drums, barrels, tanks or other containers--test for flammable vapors
Electrodes protected
Shut off valves of cylinders when not in use

7. Protection of Personnel
Working surfaces
Eye Protection
use safety glasses under welding hood
Protective clothing must be used
Confined Spaces
machines located outside of space
other confined space precautions apply

8. Oxygen-Fuel Welding 29 CFR 1910.253
Acetylene-very wide range of flammability
Is extremely unstable
Is generated inside the cylinder when acetone reacts with calcium silicate
Acetylene must not be piped above 15 psi

9. Storage of Cylinders Well-ventilated--20 ft. from combustibles
Valves must be closed
Valve protection must be in place
Inside storage limited to 2,000 cu. ft.
Store in upright position
Oxygen at least 20ft from fuel gas or 5 ft with a 1/2 hour fire barrier

10. Gas Cylinder Precautions
Never lift cylinders by the service valve or valve protection (use slings, net etc.)
Keys, handles, hand wheels must be present
Use proper regulator
Open acetylene valve no more than 1 1/2 turns

11. Protective Devices Pressure relief valves must be used
Backflow preventers for oxygen
Fuel gas hose-red (sometimes black)
Oxygen hose-green
Hose protection required
Pressure-reducing regulators

12. Arc Welding
Electric current jumps a gap, resulting temperature melts parent metal and welding rod
Indispensable in metal working
Used in carbon and alloy steels and non- ferrous metals

13. Shielding 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”

14. Common Arc Welding Processes
Shielded Metal-Arc Welding
Gas Metal Arc Welding
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
Flux Cored Arc Welding
Submerged Arc Welding
Arc Cutting
Plasma Arc Cutting

15. Installation & Maintenance
Welding machine must be grounded
Work area must be dry and free of hazards
Connections must be tightly made
Splices within 10 ft of holder are prohibited
Cables must be maintained and conductors well-insulated

16. References
Information provided by OSHA Compliance Suite- Boyer Safety Services