CEMP-E
TI 809-26
1 March 2000
d. Burn protection. Arc burn may be more severe than sunburn. Molten metal, sparks, slag, and hot
material can cause severe burns if precautionary measures are not used. Protect the skin against
radiation and hot particles, electrodes, and metal. Suitable flame-resistant clothing must be worn as
protection from sparks and arc rays.
e. Electrocution. The electrode, electrode reel (for wire-fed processes), and workpiece (or ground) are
considered electrically "hot" when the welder is on. These parts must not be touched with bare skin or
wet clothing. Dry, hole-free gloves are necessary. The work piece and welding equipment must be
grounded.
f. Fumes and Gases.
(1) Many welding, cutting and allied processes produce fumes and gases that may be harmful.
Fumes are solid particles that originate from welding consumables, the base metal and any coatings
present on the base metal. In addition to shielding gases that may be used, gases are produced during
the welding process or may be produced by the effects of process radiation on the surrounding
environment. The amount and composition of these fumes and gases depend upon the composition of
the filler metal and base material, welding process, current level, arc length and other factors.
(2) Most welding fumes from carbon steel and low alloy steel electrodes do not require any
attention to limits for any specific compound or compounds. The compounds in the fume such as oxides
and fluorides of aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, silicon (which is amorphous in welding
fumes), sodium, and titantium, do not have individual effects, except that excessive iron may cause
siderosis (iron deposits in the lungs). Their effects are submerged in the overall effects which may be
expected from nuisance dusts.
.
nickel are present in some electrodes, require special attention, and have special health hazards. When
these are present at levels of concern, they are listed on the product label and in the MSDS. Their health
hazards are discussed in the MSDS.
(4) Depending on material involved, fume effects range from irritation of eyes, skin and respiratory
system to more severe complications and may occur immediately or at some later time. Fumes may also
cause symptoms such as nausea, headache, and dizziness.
(5) The following safety guidelines should be considered, as a minimum:
Keep the head out of the fumes.
Do not breathe the fumes.
Use enough ventilation or exhaust at the arc, or both, to keep fumes and gases from the
breathing zone and general area.
In some cases, natural air movement provides enough ventilation and fresh air.
Where ventilation is questionable, use air sampling to determine the need for corrective
measures.
Use mechanical ventilation when necessary to improve air quality.
If engineering controls are not feasible, use an approved respirator.
Follow OSHA guidelines for permissible exposure limits (PELs) for various fumes.
Follow the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists recommendations
for threshold limit values (TLVs) for fumes and gases.
g. Further Guidance. See ANSI / AWS Z49.1 Safety in Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes, and
10-2
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