Tools and Equipment
6. Hazards resulting from the use of electric arc welding and oxy-cutting equipement
6.2. Specific hazards of electric arc welding
Electrical Contacts
As a result of the use of electricity in this type of welding, the risk of electrical Contact appears and the risk of electrocution still exists even though work is carried out at very low voltages.
Preventive measures:
Before commencing work:
- Check that the welding equipment is prepared for the power supply voltage.
- Check that the plug is the appropriate type for the power supply outlet.
- Ensure that the welding equipment is earthed and that this earth is fully continuous.
- Before connecting the equipment, make sure that the leads are perfectly insulated, and if applicable, make any connections using weatherproof connectors. Connections using insulating tape are forbidden, as is the use of electrical leads with their outer protection broken or worn.
- Make sure that the connection terminals of the welding equipment are properly insulated.
- Check that the electrode holder is properly insulated, including its jaws. The use of worn electrode holders is forbidden.
- Welding equipment and leads are not to be placed on frameworks, so as to avoid the risk of shocks and electrical Contact.
- Correctly connect the ground lead, choosing the most suitable point to do so in each case. This connection is to be made on the part to weld, whenever possible.
- Only supply current to the holder when the welder is positioned in his workplace and immediately before starting to weld.
During welding work:
- Work outdoors is to be suspended when it rains.
- It is forbidden to leave the electrode holder directly on the ground or on metal sections. It is always to be left on a holder support device.
- In no case whatsoever is the earth of the welding equipment casing to be annulled, not even if the circuit-breaker has cut off the current.
- Welding equipment is to be completely switched off each time work ceases for a prolonged period. The holder is not to be transported or taken up ladders if it is live.
- Always change electrodes with gloves on, as at that moment the voltage in the holder is greater than when welding.
- In confined premises, the welding set is to remain outside; if this is not possible, then it is to be placed on an insulating platform.
- A fixed workplace is to use equipment with autonomous filtering.
