Welding, Cutting and Brazing

29 CFR 1910, Subpart Q

 Compressed Gases

Covered in Subpart H, but an integral

part of welding, cutting, and brazing
Compressed gas hazards
Gases used for cutting, brazing,
and shielding the weld
 Cylinder Inspection

Most compressed gas cylinders

must be periodically tested/
recertified (DOT)
All cylinders contain markings/
symbols that indicate certification
status
 Specific Gases

Several of the gases have specific

OSHA standards
These gases include acetylene, hydrogen,
oxygen, nitrous oxide, ammonia, and LPG
 Basic Fire Prevention

Fire hazards must be removed, or

Guards installed, or
Welding/cutting must NOT take place
Hot work permit should be used to
ensure that all fire hazards are controlled
Use of fire watch
1/2 hour after operation ceases
 Fire Prevention (cont.)

Fire extinguishers must be

charged/available
Never weld in the presence
of explosive atmospheres
Do not weld on used drums,
barrels, tanks, or other containers
Test potentially explosive
containers for flammable
atmospheres
Shut off cylinder valves
when they are not in use
 Protection of Personnel

Keep working surfaces clean and unobstructed

Wear eye protection
Use safety glasses under welding hood
Protective clothing must be used per 1910.132
Welding in confined spaces
Machines located outside of space
Other confined space precautions apply (1910.146)
 Oxygen-Fuel Welding

29 CFR 1910.253
Acetylene
Flammable
Unstable
Cannot be piped above 15 psi
 Basic Rules for
Oxyacetylene Welding
Blow out cylinder valve
Release regulator
Stand to one side of regulator
Open cylinder valve slowly
Not more than 15 psi
 Basic Rules (cont.)

Purge oxygen and acetylene passages

Light the acetylene
Never use oil or grease
Do not use oxygen
Keep your work area clean
 Storage of Fuel Cylinders
Storage area must be well ventilated
Cylinders must be at least 20 feet from
combustibles
Valves must be closed
Valve protection must be in place
Inside storage must be limited to 2,000 cubic feet.
Cylinders must be stored in upright position
Oxygen must be at least 20 feet from fuel gas or
5 feet with a 1/2 hour fire barrier
 Gas Cylinder Precautions

Never lift cylinders by the service valve or

valve protection (use slings, net, etc.)
Keys, handles, hand wheels must be present
Use proper regulator
Open acetylene valve no more than 11/2 turns
 Protective Devices

Pressure relief valves

Backflow preventers
Fuel gas hosered (sometimes black)
Oxygen hosegreen
Hose protection required
Pressure-reducing regulators
 Arc Welding
Electric current fuses
parent metal and
welding rod
Indispensable in
metal working
Used for carbon and
alloy steels and non-
ferrous metals
 Shielding

Air must be kept away from weld area

Shielding protects the integrity of the
weld joint
Flux or gas mixture is used as a shield
Common Arc Welding Processes

Shielded metal arc welding (stick welding)

Gas metal arc welding (MIG welding)
Gas tungsten arc welding (TIG welding)
Flux cored arc welding
Submerged arc welding
Arc cutting
Plasma arc cutting
 Installation and Maintenance

Welding machine must be grounded

Work area must be dry and free of hazards
Connections must be tightly made
Splices within 10 feet of holder are prohibited
Cables must be maintained and conductors
well insulated
 Welding Health Hazards

Zinc Phosgene
Cadmium Carbon monoxide
Beryllium Ozone
Iron Oxide Nitrogen Oxides
Mercury
Lead
Fluorides
Chlorinated
hydrocarbon solvents

11006115 Copyright Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

 Welding Physical Hazards

Ultraviolet radiation
Infrared radiation
Intense visible light
 Lens Shades
for Typical Welding
Welding Lens Shade
Process Number
Shielded metal arc 10-14
Gas metal arc 11-12
Gas Tungsten arc 12
Torch brazing 3 or 4
Gas welding 4-8
 Quiz

1. Fuel cylinders must be stored at least

_____ feet from combustibles.
2. Shielding is a process used to protect
the eyes from welding fume. True or False
3. Three physical welding hazards are ____________
radiation, infrared radiation and intense visible light.
4. You should not use oxygen as a
substitute for air. True or False
5. As long as they are secure, fuel
cylinders can be stored on their side. True or False
 Quiz (cont.)

6. Gas Metal Arc Welding is also

known as _____________ welding.
7. Exposure to zinc fumes may cause
metal fume fever. True or False
8. Cylinder inspection requirements are regulated
by the Department of ____________________.
9. Acetylene has a very narrow
flammable range. True or False
10. Backflow prevention should be
provided for oxygen cylinders. True or False
 Quiz Answers

1. Fuel cylinders must be stored at least 20 feet from

combustibles.
2. False. Shielding is a process used to keep air away
from the weld.
3. Three physical welding hazards are ultraviolet
radiation, infrared radiation, and intense visible light.
4. True. You should not use oxygen as a substitute
for air.
5. False. Fuel cylinders must always be stored upright.
6. Gas Metal Arc Welding is also known as MIG welding.
 Quiz Answers (cont.)

7. True. Exposure to zinc fumes may cause metal

fume fever.
8. Cylinder inspection requirements are regulated
by the Department of Transportation.
9. False. Acetylene has a very wide flammable range.
10. True. Backflow prevention should be provided for
all oxygen cylinders.