Confined Space Awareness

1
Module 10
Welding
2
DISCLAIMER

• This material was produced under grant number
  SH-22248-1 from the Occupational Safety and
  Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.
  It does not necessarily reflect the views or
  policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor
  does mention of trade names, commercial products,
  or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S.
  Government.

3
Objectives

• After this module you should be able to
• identify the most common welding hazards
• take the necessary steps to avoid those hazards

4
Welding Hazards

• Fire
• Explosion
• Health
• Burns
• Slag and splatter
• Radiant light
• Ambient temperatures
• Electric shock
• Cylinders

5
Before Welding

• Authorization must be given by management,
  preferably in the form of a written permit
• All fire hazards must be moved at least 35 away
  from welding area or a suitable barrier should be
  built
• Ensure that a fire extinguisher is readily
  available
• Inspect all welding equipment to ensure that it
  is in working order and not damaged
• Wear the appropriate PPE
• Set up barriers to protect other workers in the
  area

6
welding and cutting requires certain PPE these
workers are not wearing face shields
Corrective Action these operations require hand,
arm, eye, face, and sometimes respiratory
protection, even for others involved in the
operation
7
After Welding

• At least a 30-minute fire watch must be
  established after a welding operation
• Store compressed gas cylinders in well-protected,
  ventilated, dry location away from any sources of
  heat

8
these oxygen and fuel gas cylinders are stored
too close together
Corrective Action store oxygen at least 20 from
fuel gas and other combustibles or separate them
by a 5 high, 30-minute fire-rated wall
9
cylinders must be stored upright with
hand-tightened valve caps in place
Corrective Action while there are valve caps in
place, these cylinders need to be stored upright
and secured
10
Compressed Gas Cylinders

• Before connecting a regulator to a cylinder, open
  the valve slightly then close immediately
• Always stand to one side when opening the valve
  of a cylinder
• Never crack open a cylinder valve near other
  welding work or any other source of ignition
• Open an acetylene cylinder valve no more than 1.5
  turns, preferably just ¾ of a turn
• Under no condition should acetylene be used at a
  pressure greater than 15 psig
• Empty cylinders should have their valves closed

11
Moving Cylinders

• Unless cylinders are secured on a special truck
  like the one pictured, regulators shall be
  removed and valve caps in place
• Never lay them down horizontally
• and roll them to another location
• Never use the valve cap to pick up
• a cylinder
• When transported by crane
• use a cradle or suitable platform
• never use slings or electric magnets
• valve caps should always be in place

12
cylinders must be kept upright and secure while
in transport
13
never store or transport cylinders with
regulators attached
14
Arc Welding

• Ensure equipment is installed properly
• Ensure equipment is serviceable
• Always wear suitable protective clothing
• Avoid breathing air in the fume plume
• Keep the work area free of fire hazards
• Consider hazards associated with wet areas
• Safely dispose of electrode stubs
• Shield others from light rays

15
Applicable Standards

• 1910 Subpart Q Welding, Cutting, and Brazing
• 1926 Subpart J Welding and Cutting
• API RP 54 Section 20 Hotwork, Welding, and Flame
  Cutting Operations

16
Your Employer Is Responsible For

• Providing the appropriate PPE
• Authorizing welding work to begin
• Designating proper storage areas and ensuring
  their use
• Providing the necessary welding equipment and
  fire extinguishers

17
You Are Responsible For

• Wearing the appropriate PPE
• Ensuring that your welding operations do not
  cause a fire or explosion
• Using, moving, and storing compressed gas
  cylinders properly
• Inspecting all welding equipment before each use

18
Always Remember

• Protect yourself from the radiation, heat, and
  slag of welding and cutting operations by wearing
  PPE
• Properly use, move, and store compressed gas
  cylinders
• Inspect welding equipment before each use remove
  defective equipment from service
• Ensure that all fire hazards are eliminated
  during operations and watch for fire for at least
  30 minutes after operations

19
Memory Check

• Unless a suitable barrier is built, combustibles
  must be kept how many feet away from the welding
  operation?
• 15
• 25
• 35
• 50

20
Memory Check

• The fire watch at the end of the welding
  operation must last at least how long?
• 30 minutes
• 1 hour
• 2 hours
• 3 hours

21
Memory Check

• Acetylene must not be used above what pressure
  (psig)?
• 1
• 2
• 10
• 15