15 Dec A Few Words on Welding Safety

Safety is important in every work environment. However, there are some fields that require exposure to dangerous elements all of the time, and thus require extra precaution. One such example is welding.

Welding is the most widely used method for joining together two metals.

The process works like this: two pieces of metal are fused together by means of applying extreme heat and/or pressure.

This action results in a “welded joint” of the two metals that is just as strong, if not stronger, than the original separate components.

As welding plays a key role in industrial work, welders are very important. Just as vital, though, is the need for welders to understand the risks involved with welding, and take proper safety precautions to prevent against them.

Welding Hazards:

To begin with, welding dust and welding smoke are potentially very harmful. Welding smoke, for example, is a mixture of fumes and gases, which are toxic.

The intense heat and light radiation produced by welding can also be quite damaging. The heat may cause burns, and eye injuries too if hot slag or metal chips make contact. Meanwhile, the ultraviolet light given off during welding in the form of an arc can cause burns, as well as “welder’s flash.”

Furthermore, electric shock is a present danger when in the vicinity of flammable or combustible materials, as the heat and sparks produced by welding can catch onto them and cause explosions or fires.

OSHA’s Three Recommended Key Practices:

OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has a philosophy for welding safety that is reliant on three key practices.

If you stick to these practices, you will be much better protected in your welding endeavors.

OSHA’s three recommended key practices are:

1. Utilize engineering controls (for instance, use ventilation systems to reduce air contaminants in a welding environment).
2. Apply administrative controls (such as scheduling welding work in a manner that limits prolonged exposure to the dangers of the job).
3. Use personal protective equipment to minimize exposure to fumes, sparks, and other ever-present welding hazards.

Welding a Safer Tomorrow:

There are plenty of things you can do to ensure that you, or the welders you employ, are not at risk. To start with, make sure that your designated welding station is up to code. That entails:

• Making certain that fire extinguishers are nearby and ready for immediate use.
• Assigning someone to watch for accidental fires for at least half an hour after the welding is completed.
• Moving all combustibles at least 35 feet away from the area, or properly shielding any combustibles within a 35-foot range.
• And checking that sprinklers are operational and authorized management is present.

Once all these standards have been met, the other two critical things you can do to ensure welding safety are: remember OSHA’s three recommended key practices, and schedule a welding safety training course with Creation World Safety.

For all things related to keeping welders safe and out of harm’s way, we are the experts you can count on. Contact us now and find out how our safety training and safety certification courses can positively impact your business!