Title: Observe specific areas of danger, caution, and warning.
Course: Agricultural Fabrication and Emerging Technologies (18404) > Section: Performing Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) Operations

Observation should include the following areas and precautions:

- Electrical shock
  - wearing dry protective apparel: coat, shirt, gloves and insulated footwear
  - insulating oneself from the work piece
  - avoiding contacting the work piece or ground
  - never attempting to repair or maintain the welder while the power is on
  - inspecting all cables and cords for any exposed wire and replace immediately if found
  - using only recommended replacement cables and cords
  - always attaching ground clamp to the work piece or worktable as close to the weld area as possible
  - never touching the welding wire and the ground or grounded work piece at the same time
- Fumes and gases
  - recognizing fumes emitted from the welding process displace clean air and can result in injury or death
  - never breathing in fumes emitted by the welding process
  - ensuring the air is clean and safe and that one is working in a well-ventilated area or using a ventilation device to remove welding fumes from the environment where one is working
  - never welding on coated materials (galvanized, cadmium plated, or containing zinc, mercury, or barium) given they emit harmful fumes that are dangerous to breathe
  - never welding near materials that will emit toxic fumes when heated (e.g., cleaners, chemical sprays, and degreasers)
- UV and IR Arc Rays
  - always using a helmet that covers the face from the neck to top of head and to the back of each ear
  - using safety glasses and a lens that meets ANSI standards
  - covering all bare skin areas exposed to the arc with protective clothing and shoes
  - wearing flame-retardant cloth or leather shirts, coats, pants, or coveralls for protection
  - using screens or other barriers to protect other people from the arc rays emitted from welding
  - warning others in or near the welding area when one is going to strike an arc so they can protect themselves
- Fire Hazards
  - never welding on containers or pipes that contain or have had flammable, gaseous or liquid combustibles in them
  - never operating any electric arc welder in areas where flammable or explosive materials are present
  - always removing all flammable materials within 35 feet of the welding arc
  - taking precautions to ensure that flying sparks do not cause fires or explosions in hidden areas, cracks, or areas you cannot see
  - keeping a fire extinguisher close in the case of fire
  - always wearing garments that are oil-free with no pockets or cuffs that will collect sparks
  - never having any items that are combustible, such as lighters or matches
  - keeping the work lead connected as close to the weld area as possible to prevent any unknown, unintended paths of electrical current from causing electrical shock and fire hazards
  - cutting wire back to ¼" stick out after welding to prevent any unintended arcs
- Hot Materials
  - never touching welded materials with bare hands
  - never touching a MIG gun nozzle after welding
- Sparks and Flying Debris
  - wearing protective apparel at all times (i.e., ANSI-approved safety glasses or shield and a welder’s hat and ear plugs to keep sparks and slag out of hair and ears)
- Electromagnetic Fields
- Shielding Gas Cylinders
  - treating carefully high-pressure cylinders, which can explode if damaged
  - never exposing cylinders to high heat, sparks, open flames, mechanical shocks, or arcs
  - never touching a cylinder with a MIG gun
  - never welding on the cylinder
  - always securing cylinders in an upright position secured to a cart or stationary object
  - keeping cylinders away from welding or electrical circuits
  - using the proper regulators, gas hoses, and fittings for the specific application
  - never looking into the valve when opening it
  - using the protective cylinder cap whenever possible.

Source: Home Depot (https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/8c/8ce6a30b-0569-4387-bf07-d2d95cb38205.pdf)

Process/Skill Questions:

- What types of fumes are emitted from the welding process that can result in injury or death?
- Why should one never weld on coated materials?
- Why is it important to refer to the safety data sheet for the manufacturer’s instructions?
- What can happen if one welds near materials such as cleaners, chemical sprays, and degreasers?