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.
