WELDING SAFETY TOPIC

escavader · Feb 10, 2006

WELDING SAFETY TOPIC

Since i almost burned my eye,because i never welded outside in the cold[and since safetyTOPIC hasnt been very busy],and i had a peice of cooling slag,hit my eye,mabey its time to review some welding safety on TBN.so ill start:
1 wear safety glasses when inspecting your welds during cool down
2 keep your cables uncrossed,and out of water
3 know where fire extinguishers are

whos next?
ALAN

RonR · Feb 10, 2006

Re: WELDING SAFETY TOPIC

Never weld in frayed pants!

I used to toss on an old pair of coveralls to weld. One day, I smelled something strange burning while I was under the hood--it was the frayed ends of my coverall.

Last time I wore them!

ron

CT_Tree_Guy · Feb 10, 2006

Re: WELDING SAFETY TOPIC

Alan, excellent topic. I'll throw a few in:

<ul type="square"> Protect your eyes with the proper shade of welding lens, and as you say, make sure you wear safety glasses when chipping slag (or inspecting cooling slag - who knew?).

Cover all exposed skin to avoid UV "sunburn".

Wear as much leather as possible - I wear leather gloves and an old leather jacket. I've been OK in jeans so far, but leather chaps/apron wouldn't hurt. Welding hats are great too.

Keep combustible/flammable liquids at a safe distance.

Have a fire extinguisher handy [ABC, for all types of fires]; having a water hose nearby is always nice too.

Use as much ventilation as possible - welding fumes are NASTY.

When working on machinery, place your ground as close as you can to the area you're welding to minimize current flow through electronics, gas tanks and greasy stuff.

Don't light an oxy-acetylene torch with a butane lighter; use a striker.

Remember to turn the **** gas off when you're done.

Make sure your tanks are really well-secured; a good tank cart is very important. [/list]

OK, that's all I can think of for now. Who's next? Step right up, I know there's gotta be more.

John

GaryE · Feb 10, 2006

Re: WELDING SAFETY TOPIC

Ok my turn,

The main reason I went to an auto darkening helmet was I had a bad habit of flipping up the helmet and chipping away at the hot slag. Well after getting a chunk of hot slag in my eye ( that still bothers me to this day) I learned real quick. DON”T CHIP AT THE HOT SLAG UNPROTECTED. Either wear safety glasses under your helmet or go for the auto darkening lenes.

Hope no one else has to be as stupid as me!

Gary

tillerkiller · Feb 10, 2006

Re: WELDING SAFETY TOPIC

1. Room temperature steel _looks_ exactly the same as hot steel, but it doesn't _feel_ the same.
2. Grass catches on fire really easily, even easier if the water hose is not hooked up and handy.

JimR · Feb 10, 2006

Re: WELDING SAFETY TOPIC

If you are one of the nutty people like me that does mig welding with just goggles. Cover your face with SPF 30 to keep the skin from getting burned.

Don't chip weld with gloves on either. A piece of slag can easily go down the glove and burn your hand worse than if you didn't wear gloves. Don't ask how I know this.

Any frayed clothing is a fire looking to ignite.

Keep your work area clean if possible of dirty oil soaked rags or anythig that can easily ignite.

Hang around for a good 10 minutes after welding to make sure you didn't start a fire. Smoke is a dead giveaway you have one brewing. Being safe is better than being hurt or burned.

Shut your oxy/act tanks off after using.

Do not weld in enclosed places with no ventilation for any extended period of time. When finished air the place out if you do.

PILOON · Feb 10, 2006

Re: WELDING SAFETY TOPIC

Wear a leather apron or make sure your belt is tight.

I once had a hot one get into my pants at exactly the wrong place.

Boy did I dance!

PILOON · Feb 10, 2006

Re: WELDING SAFETY TOPIC

Never weld in shorts.
Makes for nasty sunburn on the legs.

While I can't be positive, I'd best advise not wearing contact lenses while welding.
I did only once and it was scary.
Eyes went very dry, maybe I caught a flash but still never again.

RonR · Feb 11, 2006

Re: WELDING SAFETY TOPIC

Forgot to add:

NEVER weld in sneakers! Once that bb drops through the canvas and sock, no amount or kind of dancing makes it HURT any less.

ron