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 hose—red (sometimes black)
 Oxygen hose—green
 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.