MK Products Weld Control - Manual (Page 2)

Weld Control Selector Guide - Page i
SafEty COnSidERatiOnS
ELECtRiC aRC WELdinG EQUiPMEnt
CaUtiOn : REad BEfORE attEMPtinG inStaLLatiOn, OPERatiOn OR
MaintEnanCE Of tHiS EQUiPMEnt
1-1 intROdUCtiOn
This equipment is intended for ultimate
application by commercial/industrial users
and for operation by persons trained and
experienced in the use and maintenance of
welding equipment. Operation should not
be undertaken without adequate training
in the use of such equipment. Training
is available from many public and private
schools or similar facilities.
Safe practices in the installation, operation
and maintenance of this equipment requires
proper training in the art, a careful study of
the information provided with the equipment,
and the use of common sense. Rules for
safe use are generally provided by suppliers
of welding power sources, compressed gas
suppliers, and electrode suppliers. Careful
compliance with these rules will promote
safe use of this equipment.
The following Safety Rules cover some of
the more generally found situations. READ
THEM CAREFULLY. In case of any doubt,
obtain qualified help before proceeding.
1-2 GEnERaL PRECaUtiOnS
a. Burn Prevention
ELECTRIC ARC WELDING PRODUCES
H I G H I N T E N S I T Y H E AT A N D
ULTRAVIOLET RADIANT ENERGY
WHICH MAY CAUSE SERIOUS AND
PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE AND
WHICH MAY DAMAGE ANY EXPOSED
SKIN AREAS.
Wear helmet with safety goggles or glasses
with side shields underneath, appropriate
filter lenses or plates (protected by clear
cover glass). This is a must for welding
or cutting (and chipping) to protect the
eyes from radiant energy and flying metal.
Replace cover glass when broken, pitted,
or spattered.
Medical first aid and eye treatment. First
aid facilities and a qualified first aid person
should be available for each shift unless
medical facilities are close by for immediate
treatment of flash burns of the eyes and skin
burns.
Wear protective clothing - leather (or
asbestos) gauntlet gloves, hat, and high
safety-toe shoes. Button shirt collar and
pocket flaps, and wear cuffless trousers to
avoid entry of sparks and slag.
Avoid oily or greasy clothing. A spark may
ignite them.
Flammable hair preparations should not be
used by persons intending to weld or cut.
Hot metal such as electrode stubs and
work pieces should never be handled
without gloves.
Ear plugs should be worn when working on
overhead or in a confined space. A hard hat
should be worn when others work overhead.
B. toxic fume Prevention
WARNING: The use of this product may result
in exposure to chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer and birth defects
or other reproductive harm.
Adequate ventilation. Severe discomfort,
illness or death can result from fumes, vapors,
heat, or oxygen enrichment or depletion that
welding (or cutting) may produce. Prevent
them with adequate ventilation. NEVER
ventilate with oxygen.
Lead-, cadmium-, zinc-, mercury-, beryllium-
bearing and similar materials, when welded
or cut, may produce harmful concentrations
of toxic fumes. Adequate local exhaust
ventilation must be used, or each person in
the area, as well as the operator, must wear
an air-supplied respirator. For beryllium, both
must be used.
Metals coated with or containing materials that
emit toxic fumes should not be heated unless
coating is removed form the work surface, the
area is well ventilated, or the operator wears
an air-supplied respirator.
Work in a confined space only while it is being
ventilated and, if necessary, while wearing an
air-supplied respirator.
Gas leaks in a confined space should be
avoided. Leaked gas in large quantities can
change oxygen concentration dangerously.
Do not bring gas cylinders into a confined
space.
Leaving confined space, shut OFF gas supply
at source to prevent possible accumulation of
gases in the space if downstream valves
have been accidentally opened or left open.
Check to be sure that the space is safe before
reentering it.
Vapors from chlorinated solvents can be
decomposed by the heat of the arc (or flame)
to form PHOSGENE, a highly toxic gas,
and other lung and eye irritating products.
The ultraviolet (radiant) energy of the arc
can also decompose trichloroethylene and
perchloroethylene vapors to form phosgene.
DO NOT WELD or cut where solvent vapors
can be drawn into the welding or cutting
atmosphere or where the radiant energy
can penetrate to atmospheres containing
even minute amounts of trichloroethylene or
perchloroethylene.
C. fire and Explosion Prevention
Causes of fire and explosion are: combustibles
reached by the arc, flame, flying sparks, hot
slag, or heated material, misuse of compressed
gases and cylinders, and short circuits.
BE AWARE THAT flying sparks or falling
slag can pass through cracks, along pipes,
through windows or doors, and through wall
or floor openings, out of sight of the goggled
operator. Sparks can fly many feet.
To prevent fires and explosion:
Keep equipment clean and operable, free
of oil, grease, and (in electrical parts) of
metallic particles that can cause short
circuits.
If combustibles are in area, do NOT weld
or cut. Move the work if practicable, to
an area free of combustibles. Avoid paint
spray rooms, dip tanks, storage areas,
ventilators. If the work cannot be moved,
move combustibles at least 35 feet away,
out of reach of sparks and heat; or protect
against ignition with suitable and snug-
fitting, fire-resistant covers or shields.
Walls touching combustibles on opposite
sides should not be welded on (or cut).
Walls, ceilings, and floor near work should
be protected by heat-resistant covers or
shields.
Fire watcher must be standing by with
suitable fire extinguishing equipment
during and for some time after welding or
cutting if:
1. Appreciable combustibles (including
building construction) are within 35 feet.
2. Appreciable combustibles are further
than 35 feet, but can be ignited by sparks.
3. Openings (concealed or visible) in
floors or walls within 35 feet may expose
combustibles to sparks.
4. Combustibles adjacent to walls, ceilings,
roofs, or metal partitions can be ignited by
radiant or conducted heat.
Hot work permit should be obtained before
operation to ensure supervisor’s approval
that adequate precautions have been
taken.
After work is done, check that area is free of
sparks, glowing embers, and flames.
An empty container that held combustibles,
or that can produce flammable or toxic
vapors when heated, must never be
welded on or cut, unless container has first
been cleaned in accordance with industry
standards.
This includes: a thorough steam or caustic
cleaning (or a solvent of water washing,
depending on the combustible’s solubility),
followed by purging and inerting with
nitrogen or carbon dioxide, and using
protective equipment.
Water-filling just below working level may
substitute for inerting.