1. Welding, Cutting, and Brazing

2. Notice
This presentation is provided to all Educational Service District 101 (ESD 101) schools at no cost.
This presentation contains copyrighted materials purchased by ESD 101 for the exclusive use of training school personnel within ESD 101.
This presentation may not be reproduced except to print “handouts” or “notes pages” for use during training within ESD 101 school districts.
If the school district does not have Microsoft’s PowerPoint software available, a PowerPoint viewer can be downloaded from the internet at no cost.
Questions may be directed to the ESD 101 Risk Manager.

3. Welding Safety Program Guidelines
Determine who is accountable for enforcement of welding operations
Hot work permitting system
Perform a job hazard assessment of welding equipment

4. Welding Safety Program Guidelines
Special procedures for equipment used in welding process
Care of cylinders
Ventilation systems
Fire prevention

5. Welding Safety Program Guidelines
Engineering controls
Administrative controls
Personal protective equipment
Equipment inspection and maintenance
Incident investigation

6. Welding Hazards Damage to eyes and skin
Ultraviolet (UV) rays
Infrared rays
Purging and cleaning of closed containers prior to welding operations

7. Welding Hazards Toxic gases, fumes, and dusts
Fire hazards from welding and cutting operations

8. Welding Hazards
Metal splatter
Electric shock
Explosion hazards

9. General Safe Work Practices
Use a platform with toeboards when working from elevated surfaces
Protect workers from stray sparks or slag in areas below elevated work surfaces

10. General Safe Work Practices
Warn others of hot metal by marking work areas
Keep floor areas clear of electrodes and/or electrode stubs

11. General Safe Work Practices
Never use bare conductors, damaged regulators, torches, or electrode holders
Never arc weld or resist weld while standing on damp surfaces

12. General Safe Work Practices
Keep fire extinguishers near areas where hot work is performed

13. Compressed Gas Cylinder Handling and Storage
Never accept compressed gas cylinders (CGCs) that were shipped in a horizontal position
Store CGCs upright
Keep CGCs secured with chains or cables

14. Compressed Gas Cylinder Handling and Storage
Group cylinders by type of gas
Store full and empty cylinders apart
Store gases so that old stock is removed and used first

15. Compressed Gas Cylinder Handling and Storage
Keep protective caps on stored CGCs
Prevent the dropping or banging of CGCs
Don’t roll CGCs along the bottom rim

16. Compressed Gas Cylinder Handling and Storage
Don’t lift CGCs by the cap unless using hand trucks designed for this purpose
Prevent cylinders from falling, or from having objects fall on them

17. Compressed Gas Cylinder Handling and Storage
Ensure that valves, hoses, connectors, and regulators are in good condition

18. Compressed Gas Cylinder Handling and Storage
Never open valves until regulators are drained of gas and pressure adjusting devices are released
When empty, close and return CGCs to the vendor

19. Compressed Gas Cylinder Handling and Storage
Empty CGCs must be labeled “MT” or “Empty”
Keep oil and grease away from oxygen CGCs, valves, and hoses

20. Fire Watches for Welding Operations

21. Designate a Fire Watch When These Conditions Exist
Combustible material is within 35 feet of the point of operation
Combustibles are more than 35 feet away, but are easily ignited by sparks

22. Designate a Fire Watch When These Conditions Exist
Wall or floor openings within a 35-foot radius expose combustible material in adjacent areas
Combustible materials opposite of walls or ceilings can be ignited by conduction or radiation

23. Fire Watchers Will…
Have fire extinguishers readily available, and be trained in their use
Be familiar with alarm systems and their operation in the event of a fire

24. Fire Watchers Will… Watch for fires in all exposed areas
Only try to extinguish fires obviously within the capacity of the equipment

25. Fire Watchers Will…
Stay in hot work areas for at least one half hour after hot work operations have ceased to detect and extinguish smoldering fires

26. Welding Safety in Confined Spaces
Before entry, test the work space for the following types of hazards:
Flammability
Combustibility
Toxic fumes
Slippery floor surfaces

27. Welding Safety in Confined Spaces
When and where applicable, wear respiratory protection and a safety harness attached to a lifeline

28. When Hot-Work in a Confined Space is Interrupted
Disconnect power to arc welding or cutting equipment
Remove electrodes from holders
Turn off torch valves

29. When Hot-Work in a Confined Space is Interrupted
Turn off gas supply to gas welding and cutting units at a point outside the space
Remove the torch and hose from the confined space, if possible

30. Make Housekeeping a Priority
Keep welding areas free of combustibles
Ensure proper storage of compressed gas cylinders

31. Don’t Take Shortcuts
Getting the job done safely is the first consideration
Always evaluate the job and implement appropriate safety precautions