16. WELDING AND FLAME CUTTING
Skin
- UV radiation
Eyes
- UV radiation
- Garbages
Hearing
- Noise
Musculoskeletal system
- Strains
Mechanical hazards
- The environment where
the welder works and the
tools he uses
Fire and explosion risks
- Fires
- Gases used for
welding and flamecutting
Suffocation
- Inert gas taking over
the oxygen
Respiratory system
- Welding fumes
Metal fever
- Welding fumes consisting
zinc or copper
Electrical hazards of welding
The energized parts of the arc welding equipment have been insulated except the elec-
trodes to prevent accidental contact. The voltage in the welding power circuit is lower
for safety reasons. However, an accident could take place if you touch an electrode
in the holder or a non-insulated point of the cable. The risk is the greatest in humid
conditions and in places with risk of falling.
Avoid skin contact with any poorly insulated parts of the welding power circuit when
the power source is live. Replace immediately any cables with defected insulation.
Inform your supervisor or maintenance department about any defects in the power
source.
Don’t connect any foreign metal objects to the welding circuit; instead use a proper
grounding cable. Use a separate connection to ground the work piece to earth or to
the welding bedding. Make sure there are no loose connections in the welding circuit.
There is more about the electrical hazards in chapter 18.
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