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Safety considerations, Electric arc welding equipment – MK Products Positioner 1/AirCrafter T-25 User Manual

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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

HIGH INTENSITY HEAT AND

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.