MK Products CobraCooler 1999 - Manual (Page 2)

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