Welding Safety

Overview

Welding Safety should be managed through a planned system of work: identify the task-specific hazards, eliminate exposure where practical, use engineered or collective controls before relying on PPE, verify critical safeguards before starting, and stop the task when controls are missing or conditions change. This guide applies those principles specifically to safe welding with fire, fume, electrical and radiation controls.

Main Hazards

• • Welding fumes and gases
• • Arc radiation, electric shock and hot metal
• • Ignition of combustible or flammable materials
• • Burns from sparks, slag, flame or hot surfaces
• • Fire or explosion in adjacent or hidden spaces

Essential Controls

1. 1Provide local exhaust or ventilation appropriate to the welding process and location.
2. 2Inspect leads, holders, grounding and electrode equipment before use.
3. 3Remove or protect combustibles and check both sides of walls, floors and penetrations.
4. 4Use the required permit, gas testing and fire-watch controls before ignition sources are introduced.
5. 5Provide suitable fire-fighting equipment and maintain access to emergency routes.
6. 6Stop work if atmospheric conditions, ventilation or fire controls become inadequate.

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