MK Products Cobra System III Gooseneck - Manual (Page 2)

CAUTION : READ BEFORE ATTEMPTING INSTALLATION, OPERATION OR
MAINTENANCE OF THIS EQUIPMENT
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
ELECTRIC ARC WELDING 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
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 accidently 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.
1. Pressure Regulators
Regulator relief valve is designed to protect only the regulator
from overpressure; it is not intended to protect any
downstream equipment. Provide such protection with one
or more relief devices.
Never connect a regulator to a cylinder containing gas other
than that for which the regulator was designed.
Remove faulty regulator from service immediately for repair
(first close cylinder valve). The following symptoms indicate
a faulty regulator:
Leaks - if gas leaks externally.
Excessive Creep - if delivery pressure continues to rise with
downstream valve closed.
Faulty Gauge - if gauge pointer does not move off stop pin
when pressurized, nor returns to stop pin after pressure
release.
Repair. Do NOT attempt repair. Send faulty regulators for
repair to manufacturer’s designated repair center, where
special techniques and tools are used by trained personnel.
2. Cylinders
Cylinders must be handled carefully to prevent leaks and
damage to their walls, valves, or safety devices:
Avoid electrical circuit contact with cylinders including third
Cobra Gooseneck Owner's Manual - 8/96