MK Products Prince XL MM Com ACWC - Manual (Page 4)

Prince ® XL Millermatic Compatible Gun Owner's Manual - 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
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.
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.
A container with unknown contents should
be cleaned (see paragraph above). Do NOT
depend on sense of smell or sight to determine if
it is safe to weld or cut.
Hollow castings or containers must be vented
before welding or cutting. They can explode.
Explosive atmospheres. NEVER weld or cut
where the air may contain flammable dust, gas,
or liquid vapors (such as gasoline).
D. Compressed Gas Equipment
The safe handling of compressed gas equipment
is detailed in numerous industry publications.
The following general rules cover many of the
most common situations.