Common Hazards in Welding

Safety Unit Lesson 1

Safety Begins

To work safely you must first understand the hazards in the welding environment and develop the proper attitude towards safety.

This begins with an understanding of the need for proper clothing, eye protection, and face protection, along with general shop safety.

ANSI Z49.1The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z49.1-2005, Safety in

Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes.

The American National Standards Institute is a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems and personnel in the United States.

Every person involved with welding, cutting, and related processes should be familiar with this document. This document discusses personal protective equipment, ventilation, and fire prevention as well as welding in confined spaces. This document also details specific welding processes and safety procedures

Associated Hazards

Accidents

There are many causes of accidents. They can usually be divided into two categories: personal and physical. You must be aware of the factors that cause accidents so you can understand the consequences of your actions on the job site.

Personal FactorsAccidents can often be traced to personal factors such as poor health, lack of experience, and the improper use of alcohol and medications.

•People who are ill or injured may not be able to concentrate on their work. A person doing work that is inherently dangerous is more likely to cause an accident when he or she is sick or injured.

•Mental stress can also play a role in accidents, concentration is the issue. An employee who is worried about a serious personal problem is likely to be distracted and unable to focus on work.

Personal FactorsAge and inexperience often play a role in accidents.

•Studies show that a person who lacks experience is more likely to take risks that cause accidents. Some accidents occur simply because someone hasn’t had enough experience to learn how to avoid them.

•Insurance company statistics show that accidents occur in the under 18 age group more than any other.

Personal FactorsAlcohol, prescription medications, and illegal drugs affect coordination,

alertness, and decision-making ability.

•People who consume alcohol or use drugs while working risk their lives and the lives of their co-workers.

•Working with a drug or alcohol hangover is nearly as bad as being under the influence.

•Legal prescription and over-the-counter drugs can also be hazards in the work environment. Some cold remedies and cough medicines contain alcohol or other substances that can make people drowsy and less alert.

Physical Factors

•Accidents are often caused by conditions at the job site. •Foot and vehicle traffic congestion increase at starting and quitting times.

•As quitting time approaches, people are more likely to hurry, possible taking risks they might not otherwise take.

•People often slow down right after a meal, so workers may be less attentive after lunch than at other times.

Physical Factors

Keep this Place Clean and Orderly

NOTICEPeople who learned to put their toys away when they were young probably keep a neat, safe work site as adults.

If you keep a messy work site, eventually you or someone else will be injured because of it. Put away your tools, dispose of scrap materials, and secure your equipment and cables when not in use.

If you have flammable or hazardous material at your work site, keep it properly contained and covered.

Physical Factors

Damaged or defective welding equipment is dangerous.

A frayed or damaged cable could give someone a lethal shock or start a fire. Any damaged or defective equipment should be repaired or replaced.

All equipment should be periodically inspected for damage. Periodic maintenance procedures should be followed and performed on schedule.

HazardsHazards can be organized in to two categories.

Immediate Hazards- Are hazards that are inherent to the work environment.

•Tripping•Sparks•Sharp objects•Heavy objects•Electrocution

Potential Hazards- Are hazards that may result from the types of work being performed.

•Burns•UV Radiation•Fumes / Gasses•Asphyxiation•Falls

Immediate and Potential Hazards exercise