Welding and Cutting hazards and control measures at a construction site

 

Welding and Cutting Safety

Introduction

Welding and cutting are essential industrial activities that involve fusing and separating pieces of metal, respectively. However, these activities come with several hazards, including fire, explosion, toxic fumes, electrical hazards, and eye injuries. Therefore, it is crucial to take appropriate preventive measures to control these hazards and ensure the safety of personnel and property.

Hot Works

Hot work is a term used to describe any work activity that produces or may have a chance of producing sparks, such as welding, cutting, grinding, and blasting. Hot work must be controlled using a Permit to Work system, and the permit should be considered closed before one hour of the leaving time. The area must also be inspected before leaving the workplace, and the permit closed accordingly.

Hazards Involved

To ensure safety during welding and cutting activities, it is essential to understand the hazards involved. For instance, exposure to prolonged light from welding and cutting can cause eye injuries, while the heat of an arc, molten slag, sparks, hot objects, and others can lead to burns, fires, and explosions. Additionally, the speed of mechanical parts, toxic fumes released during welding/cutting, and mishandling of gas cylinders, especially acetylene, are other potential hazards.

Control Measures

To control these hazards, several measures must be taken, starting with ensuring that all personnel directly involved in welding and cutting wear suitable flame-resistant protective clothing, including leather jackets, gauntlets/gloves, and flame-proof or flame-retardant overalls or welding aprons. The use of contact lenses during welding and cutting operations is prohibited, and approved eye protection must be worn, such as face shields and adequate lenses. The area should also be cordoned off, and a screen erected to protect other workers working around the area.

Other Hazards

Electric shock is another hazard associated with welding and cutting activities. To prevent electric shocks, all welding machines and generators must be earthed, and welding earths connected to the workplace as close as possible. Welding cables must be kept dry and free from grease to prevent insulation breakdown, and damaged cables must be replaced or discarded immediately. Oxygen/acetylene hoses and gauges must also be kept free from oil or grease contaminants, and welding cables should preferably be one continuous length or joined with approved connectors.

Toxic fumes and respiratory protection are also critical safety considerations during welding and cutting activities. Adequate exhaust ventilation must be provided to protect personnel from inhalation of toxic fumes or vapors, and mechanical air purifiers can be used to limit and purify the smoke generated during welding. In locations where adequate exhaust ventilation is not possible, welding and cutting can be carried out safely by personnel wearing suitable respiratory protection. Dust or fume masks do not provide adequate protection.

Controls Measure for Cutting activity

To ensure safety during cutting activities, competent operators should be used, and equipment like power tools, grinders, and welding machines must be inspected before use on-site. Third-party inspections are required to ensure that the machines are in good working condition. All gas cylinders used in the workplace, including oxygen, acetylene, or propane, must have approved flashback arrestors fitted to the gauge of the cylinders. Gas torches should also be ignited using flint guns, while gas cylinder valves should be closed, and valve protection caps put in place when cylinders are not in use.

Conclusion

Welding and cutting activities are essential industrial processes that come with several hazards. However, these hazards can be controlled using appropriate preventive measures such as wearing suitable protective clothing, providing adequate ventilation, ensuring equipment is inspected before use, and using competent operators. Employers and employees must take these measures seriously to ensure the safety of all personnel and property during welding and cutting activities.

 

Categories: Construction Safety, Cutting Safety, Hazards Control, Hot Work, Safety Training, Welding safety