Safety considerations, Electric arc welding equipment – MK Products Prince XL LE Com ACWC User Manual

Page 4

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Prince

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XL Lincoln Compatible Gun Owner's Manual - Page i

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

ELECTRIC ARC WELDING EQUIPMENT

CAUTION : READ BEFORE ATTEMPTING INSTALLATION, OPERATION OR

MAINTENANCE OF THIS EQUIPMENT

1-1 INTRODUCTION

This equipment is intended for ultimate

application by commercial/industrial users and for

operation by persons trained and experienced in

the use and maintenance of welding equipment.

Operation should not be undertaken without

adequate training in the use of such equipment.

Training is available from many public and

private schools or similar facilities.
Safe practices in the installation, operation

and maintenance of this equipment requires

proper training in the art, a careful study of the

information provided with the equipment, and

the use of common sense. Rules for safe use

are generally provided by suppliers of welding

power sources, compressed gas suppliers,

and electrode suppliers. Careful compliance

with these rules will promote safe use of this

equipment.
The following Safety Rules cover some of the

more generally found situations. READ THEM

CAREFULLY. In case of any doubt, obtain

qualified help before proceeding.

1-2 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
A. Burn Prevention

ELECTRIC ARC WELDING PRODUCES

HIGH INTENSITY HEAT AND ULTRAVIOLET

RADIANT ENERGY WHICH MAY CAUSE

SERIOUS AND PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE

AND WHICH MAY DAMAGE ANY EXPOSED

SKIN AREAS.
Wear helmet with safety goggles or glasses with

side shields underneath, appropriate filter lenses

or plates (protected by clear cover glass). This

is a must for welding or cutting (and chipping) to

protect the eyes from radiant energy and flying

metal. Replace cover glass when broken, pitted,

or spattered.
Medical first aid and eye treatment. First aid

facilities and a qualified first aid person should be

available for each shift unless medical facilities

are close by for immediate treatment of flash

burns of the eyes and skin burns.
Wear protective clothing - leather (or asbestos)

gauntlet gloves, hat, and high safety-toe shoes.

Button shirt collar and pocket flaps, and wear

cuffless trousers to avoid entry of sparks and

slag.
Avoid oily or greasy clothing. A spark may ignite

them.
Flammable hair preparations should not be used

by persons intending to weld or cut.
Hot metal such as electrode stubs and work

pieces should never be handled without gloves.
Ear plugs should be worn when working on

overhead or in a confined space. A hard hat

should be worn when others work overhead.

B. Toxic Fume Prevention

WARNING: The use of this product may result

in exposure to chemicals known to the State of

California to cause cancer and birth defects or other

reproductive harm.
Adequate ventilation. Severe discomfort, illness

or death can result from fumes, vapors, heat, or

oxygen enrichment or depletion that welding (or

cutting) may produce. Prevent them with adequate

ventilation. NEVER ventilate with oxygen.
Lead-, cadmium-, zinc-, mercury-, beryllium-bearing

and similar materials, when welded or cut, may

produce harmful concentrations of toxic fumes.

Adequate local exhaust ventilation must be used,

or each person in the area, as well as the operator,

must wear an air-supplied respirator. For beryllium,

both must be used.
Metals coated with or containing materials that emit

toxic fumes should not be heated unless coating

is removed form the work surface, the area is well

ventilated, or the operator wears an air-supplied

respirator.
Work in a confined space only while it is being

ventilated and, if necessary, while wearing an air-

supplied respirator.
Gas leaks in a confined space should be avoided.

Leaked gas in large quantities can change oxygen

concentration dangerously. Do not bring gas

cylinders into a confined space.
Leaving confined space, shut OFF gas supply at

source to prevent possible accumulation of gases

in the space if downstream valves have been

accidentally opened or left open. Check to be sure

that the space is safe before reentering it.
Vapors from chlorinated solvents can be

decomposed by the heat of the arc (or flame) to

form PHOSGENE, a highly toxic gas, and other

lung and eye irritating products. The ultraviolet

(radiant) energy of the arc can also decompose

trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene vapors

to form phosgene. DO NOT WELD or cut where

solvent vapors can be drawn into the welding or

cutting atmosphere or where the radiant energy can

penetrate to atmospheres containing even minute

amounts of trichloroethylene or perchloroethylene.

C. Fire and Explosion Prevention

Causes of fire and explosion are: combustibles

reached by the arc, flame, flying sparks, hot slag, or

heated material, misuse of compressed gases and

cylinders, and short circuits.
BE AWARE THAT flying sparks or falling slag can

pass through cracks, along pipes, through windows

or doors, and through wall or floor openings, out of

sight of the goggled operator. Sparks can fly many

feet.
To prevent fires and explosion:
Keep equipment clean and operable, free of oil,

grease, and (in electrical parts) of metallic particles

that can cause short circuits.

If combustibles are in area, do NOT weld or

cut. Move the work if practicable, to an area

free of combustibles. Avoid paint spray rooms,

dip tanks, storage areas, ventilators. If the work

cannot be moved, move combustibles at least 35

feet away, out of reach of sparks and heat; or

protect against ignition with suitable and snug-

fitting, fire-resistant covers or shields.
Walls touching combustibles on opposite sides

should not be welded on (or cut). Walls, ceilings,

and floor near work should be protected by heat-

resistant covers or shields.
Fire watcher must be standing by with suitable

fire extinguishing equipment during and for some

time after welding or cutting if:
1. Appreciable combustibles (including building

construction) are within 35 feet.
2. Appreciable combustibles are further than 35

feet, but can be ignited by sparks.
3. Openings (concealed or visible) in floors or

walls within 35 feet may expose combustibles to

sparks.
4. Combustibles adjacent to walls, ceilings, roofs,

or metal partitions can be ignited by radiant or

conducted heat.
Hot work permit should be obtained before

operation to ensure supervisor’s approval that

adequate precautions have been taken.
After work is done, check that area is free of

sparks, glowing embers, and flames.
An empty container that held combustibles, or

that can produce flammable or toxic vapors when

heated, must never be welded on or cut, unless

container has first been cleaned in accordance

with industry standards.
This includes: a thorough steam or caustic

cleaning (or a solvent of water washing,

depending on the combustible’s solubility),

followed by purging and inerting with nitrogen or

carbon dioxide, and using protective equipment.
Water-filling just below working level may

substitute for inerting.
A container with unknown contents should

be cleaned (see paragraph above). Do NOT

depend on sense of smell or sight to determine if

it is safe to weld or cut.
Hollow castings or containers must be vented

before welding or cutting. They can explode.
Explosive atmospheres. NEVER weld or cut

where the air may contain flammable dust, gas,

or liquid vapors (such as gasoline).

D. Compressed Gas Equipment

The safe handling of compressed gas equipment

is detailed in numerous industry publications.

The following general rules cover many of the

most common situations.

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