Welding Safety Rules (2024)

FAQs

What are the OSHA safety requirements for welding? ›

Welders shall place welding cable and other equipment so that it is clear of passageways, ladders, and stairways. Selection. Helmets or hand shields shall be used during all arc welding or arc cutting operations, excluding submerged arc welding. Helpers or attendants shall be provided with proper eye protection.

Always wear protective clothing suitable for welding. Wool or cotton clothing, high top leather shoes, gauntlet gloves, welding apron or leathers, and leggings are recommended. DO NOT wear clothing made of synthetic fibers when welding. Some synthetic fibers are highly flammable.

1. Ensure the cleaning of the material and place to be welded. Before starting any welding procedure, make sure that everything is free of impurities. Contamination damages the final result.

Never cut or weld any container that has held explosive or flammable materials. Use prescribed methods for cleaning or flooding. Never use wrenches or tools except those provided or approved by the gas cylinder manufacturer to open valves. Never use a hammer to open or close valves.

Eye, face, hand/arm, head and body protection (leather gloves, leather apron, gauntlets, safety glasses with side shields, welders helmet or welders goggles) are required that are appropriate to the potential hazards encountered during welding, cutting, brazing, soldering, grinding or other spark producing operations.

Safety hazards from these operations include burns, eye damage, electrical shock, cuts, and crushed toes and fingers. Many of these can be controlled with proper work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Examples of OSHA standards include requirements for employers to: • provide fall protection; • prevent trenching cave-ins; • prevent exposure to some infectious diseases; • ensure the safety of workers who enter confined spaces; • prevent exposure to harmful chemicals; • put guards on dangerous machines; • provide ...

Always keep the hands and the body dry during a welding operation. Avoid standing in water, on wet surfaces, or working with wet hands or wearing sweaty garments. Do not dip energized (hot) electrode holders in water.

SAFE OPERATION OF THE WELDER

Welding should never be done directly on a concrete floor. Heat from the arc can cause steam to build-up in the floor which could cause an explosion.

Use suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

use an FFP3 disposable mask or half-mask with P3 filter ( PDF ), for work of up to an hour.

What not to do while welding? ›

To avoid secondary voltage shock, welding operators should wear dry gloves in good condition, never touch the electrode or metal parts of the electrode holder with skin or wet clothing and be sure to insulate themselves from the work and ground, keeping dry insulation between their body and the metal being welded or ...

Overhead. This is one of the most challenging and dangerous welding positions.

To practice safe welding, welders should study and stay updated on safety procedures, protect themselves from fumes and gases, take precautions against electrocution, check their equipment, avoid clutter, know their environment, dress appropriately, wear the right personal protective equipment (PPE), avoid stress ...

Keep the welding equipment, work area and your gloves dry to avoid electric shocks. Ensure electrode holder and work leads are in good condition. Start the fume extraction unit before beginning to weld. Ensure other people are protected from flashes by closing the curtain to the welding bay or by erecting screens.