SHECON INC., 1 SAFETY TRAINING SAFETY IN WORK PLACE Safety In Welding & Cutting Operations HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH WELDING Welding in India has developed to a great extent and has become indispensable tool for fabrication. Besides, oxy-acetylene and electric arc welding, other modes used are submerged arc welding, gas shielded arc welding processes TIG and MIG, plasma arc cutting and gauging etc. All these types of operations are associated with various hazards. In general welding is carried out almost in all factories and workshops and the sites can be broadly divided into four categories. (a) Open workshop (b) Open are (c) Semi-confined spaces (d) Confined spaces. Hazards associated with welding and cutting can be classified as: i. Radiation hazards – which are usually visual hazards ii. Hazards due to dangerous fumes and gases. iii. Burns and eye injuries. iv. Fire & explosion. v. Electric shock. vi. Environment/Atmospheric condition. vii. Postural fatigue viii. Hazards associated with working at height. ix. High noise level during certain operations. The American Welding Society suggests that for metal arc welding of wild steel natural ventilation is adequate, provided the room volume is approximately 1000 cft. per welder and ceiling height is at least 16 ft., unless fluxes containing fluorides are used and cross ventilation is blocked by partitions, equipment, etc. The amount of gases or fumes a welder is likely to inhale is dependent on many factors, such as dimensions of the welding area, the number of welders and cutting operators, the duty or operational factor (arc time, etc.), the method of welding or cutting employed, the material involved, the size and type of filler wires and fluxes used, the ventilation system employed and the most important of all is the position of the welder himself in relation to the plume of fumes. In short, the hazards to which the operator may be exposed during welding and/or cutting will depend on the welding and the cutting process, the base metals and the filler metals, fluxes, the presence of contaminants, presence of volatile solvents in the area, etc. However, it is expected, the welding operation can be made safe for the welders and the people in the neighbourhood by taking care of the following common hazards associated with welding/cutting: 1. Light rays Electric arc and gas flames both produce ultraviolet and infrared rays which have harmful effect on the eyes and skin. The usual effect of ultraviolet is to ‘sunburn’ the surface of eyes which may cause pain and temporary disablement. However, permanent eye injury may result from looking directly into a powerful arc without eye protection. Ultraviolet may also produce the same effects on the skin as a severe sunburn infra-red has only the effect of heating the tissue with which it comes in contact. Goggles, helmets and hand shields that give maximum eye protection for welding process should be worn by welders and helpers. Goggles with suitable shades give full protection against injurious rays and from flying objects. 2. Atmospheric conditions During welding operation heat generates and evolution of hazardous fumes, gases or dust according to the metals involved takes place. Good ventilating system keeps temperature down and circulated air prevents build-up of toxic contaminants. Protective clothing give full protection, but some times sparks lodged in rolled-up sleeves or pockets of clothing or cuffs of overalls or trousers