Lincoln LN-7 - Manual (Page 2)

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Arc Welding Safety Precautions
PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS FROM POSSIBLE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. READ
AND UNDERSTAND BOTH THE SPECIFIC INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE OPERATING
MANUAL FOR THE WELDER AND/OR OTHER EQUIPMENT TO BE USED AS WELL AS
THE FOLLOWING GENERAL INFORMATION.
1. HAVE ALL INSTALLATION, OPERATION,
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORK performed
only by qualified people.
2. ELECTRIC SHOCK can kill.
Protect yourself from possible dangerous electrical
shock:
a. The electrode and work (or ground) circuits are elec­
trically “hot” when the welder is on. Never permit
contact between “hot” parts of the circuits and bare
skin or wet clothing. Wear dry, hole-free gloves to
insulate hands.
b. Always insulate yourself from the work and ground
by using dry insulation. When welding in damp lo­
cations, on metal floors, gratings or scaffolds, and
when in positions such as sitting or lying, make cer­
tain the insulation is large enough to cover your full
area of physical contact with work and ground.
c. Always be sure the work cable makes a good electri­
cal connection with the metal being welded. The
connection should be as close as possible to the area
being welded.
d. Ground the work or metal to he welded to a good
electrical ground.
e. Maintain the electrode holder, work clamp, welding
cable and welding machine in good, safe operating
condition.
f. Never dip the electrode in water for cooling.
g. Never simultaneously touch electrically “hot” parts
of electrode holders connected to two welders be­
cause voltage between the two can be the total of
the open circuit voltage of both welders.
h. If using the welder as a power source for mechanized
welding, the above precautions also apply for the
automatic electrode, electrode reel, welding head,
nozzle or semiautomatic welding gun.
i. When working above floor level, protect yourself
from a fall should you get a shock.
J- Also see Items 6c and 8.
3. FUMES AND GASES can be dangerous to your health.
a. Welding may produce fumes and gases hazardous
to health. Avoid breathing these fumes and gases.
When welding, keep your head out of the fume.
Use enough ventilation and/or exhaust at the arc to
keep fumes and gases away from the breathing zone.
When welding on galvanized, lead or cadmium
plated steel and other metals which produce toxic
fumes, even greater care must be taken.
b. Do not weld in locations near chlorinated hydrocar­
bon vapors coming from degreasing, cleaning or
spraying operations. The heat and rays of the arc
can react with solvent vapors to form phosgene, a
highly toxic gas, and other irritating products.
c. Shielding gases used for arc welding can displace
air and cause injury or death. Always use enough
ventilation, especially in confined areas, to insure
breathing air is safe.
d. Read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions
for this equipment and the consumables to be used,
including the material safety data sheet (MSDS) and
follow your employer’s safety practices.
e. Also see item 9b.
4. ARC RAYS can injure eyes and bum skin.
a. Use a shield with the proper filter and cover plates
to protect your eyes from sparks and the rays of
the arc when welding or observing open arc welding.
Headshield and filter lens should conform to ANSI
Z87.1 standards.
b. Use suitable clothing made from durable, flame-
resistant material to protect your skin and that of
your helpers from the arc rays.
c. Protect other nearby personnel with suitable non­
flammable screening and/or warn them not to watch
the arc nor expose themselves to the arc rays or
to hot spatter or metal.
5. FIRE OR EXPLOSION can cause death or property
damage.
a. Remove fire hazards well away from the area. If
this is not possible cover them to prevent the welding
sparks from starting a fire. Remember that welding
sparks and hot materials from welding can easily
go through small cracks and openings to adjacent
areas. Have a fire extinguisher readily available.
b. Where compressed gases are to be used at the job
site, special precautions should be used to prevent
hazardous situations. Refer to “Safety in Welding
and Cutting” (ANSI Standard Z49.1) and the operat­
ing information for the equipment being used.
c. When not welding, make certain no part of the elec­
trode circuit is touching the work or ground. Acci­
dental contact can cause overheating and create a
fire hazard.
December 1985
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