UC Davis Health System

Fire Prevention Department

4800 2nd Avenue, Suite 1200
Sacramento, CA 95817
916.734.3036

GENERAL SAFETY RULES FOR WELDING AND CUTTING

1. Gas welding or cutting shall not be done in or near rooms or locations where flammable
liquids or vapors, lint, dust or loose combustible stocks are located or arranged so that
sparks or hot metal from the welding or cutting operations may cause ignition or explosion
of such materials.

2. When such welding or cutting must be done above or within 20 feet of combustible
construction or material, non-combustible shields shall be interposed to protect such
materials and persons from sparks and hot metal or oxide.

3. One or more fire extinguishers of a suitable approved type shall be kept at the location
where the welding or cutting is being done. All extinguishers must have current service
tags, seal, etc.

4. When welding or cutting is done above or within 20 feet of combustible construction or

material, a “fire watch” shall be on hand to make use of fire extinguishing equipment.

5. A fire watch shall be maintained in the area of welding or cutting operations for at least 1
hour after completion of such operations to detect and extinguish possible smoldering
fires.

6. All compressed gas cylinders in service or in storage shall be adequately secured to

prevent falling or being knocked over.

7. Oxygen and fuel gas cylinders and acetylene generators shall be placed far enough away
from the welding position that they will not be unduly heated by radiation from heated
materials, by sparks or slag, or by misdirection of the torch flame.

8. Cylinders, valves, regulators, hose and other apparatus and fittings containing or using
oxygen shall be kept free from oil or grease. Oxygen cylinders, apparatus and fittings
shall not be handled with oily hands, gloves or greasy materials.

9. Fuel gas shall never be used from cylinders through torches or other devices equipped
with shut-off valves without reducing the pressure through a suitable regulator attached to
the cylinder valve or manifold.

10. Oxygen shall never be used from a cylinder or cylinder manifold unless a pressure-
regulating device intended for use with oxygen, and so marked, is provided.

11. The user shall not transfer gases from one cylinder to another or mix gases in a cylinder.

12. Acetylene gas shall not be brought in contact with unalloyed copper except in a blowpipe
or torch.

13. Special precautions:

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________