| It is, of course, critical that you are safe when | | | | place out of the way. This will also prevent |
| welding and that you don't take chances your | | | | damage from kinks and tangles. |
| own safety or that of other people. You must be | | | | 6. Ensure you have the right tools for different |
| aware of each of the guidelines below before | | | | tasks and always use them! Even when wearing |
| starting to weld and remember them at all times | | | | welding gloves do not pick up hot metal but use |
| to keep everyone safe. Over 1,000 injuries to the | | | | pliers and always use the correct equipment for |
| eyes occur daily in the United States as reported | | | | jobs like sanding, chipping etc. |
| by the Occupational Safety and Health | | | | 7. You should always be wearing high impact |
| Administration (OSHA). Quite a few of these | | | | glasses when you are grinding or cutting and wear |
| accidents are suffered by both experienced and | | | | them on entering the workshop. Wear them all |
| novice mechanics and you must make sure you | | | | the time you are in the workshop, be careful not |
| always wear eye protection when welding and | | | | to keep taking them off or one day you will |
| when performing other tasks around the | | | | forget to replace them and that's when an |
| workshop. | | | | accident will happen! |
| Safety Guidelines | | | | 8. You must have good ventilation in the |
| 1. Take care that you have sufficient grounding | | | | workshop. In a sizeable workshop you will need a |
| by using metal connections that are not covered | | | | small fan in order to clear the fumes from welding |
| with paint or other materials. Do not use wire | | | | however in a smaller workshop leaving open |
| ropes or chains or other inadequate grounding | | | | doors and windows will probably be sufficient. |
| connections. | | | | 9. Face and eye protection is vital. Radiation from |
| 2. Make sure you place your welder on a flat | | | | the arc may cause lasting damage to both the |
| surface far away from sources of combustible | | | | eyes and the skin. Always wear safety glasses |
| materials, gasoline, paper etc and never operate | | | | while in the workshop and beneath your helmet |
| when conditions are wet as this will increase the | | | | when you are welding. Take care that auto |
| risks of electric shock. | | | | darkening helmets are up to the National |
| 3. Gas cylinders need to be attached properly to | | | | Standards Institute guidelines. If you choose an |
| supports or carts by metal chains and protective | | | | auto darkening helmet you can easily change the |
| caps secured before you move them. Hoses | | | | position of work without flipping open your helmet. |
| should only be used that have been specially | | | | 10. Make certain that all safety clothing and |
| made for welding use. | | | | equipment conforms to the guidelines of the |
| 4. All hoses should be inspected for leaks often | | | | OHSA and wear it all times. It cannot protect you |
| by dripping on soapy water. Any leaks will show | | | | if it's packed away in your locker! Skin should |
| as bubbles form. Change any worn looking hoses | | | | always be covered by flame retardant clothing to |
| before any leaking starts and never use duct | | | | avoid spatter or spark injuries and you should |
| tape to patch them! Also check out loose fittings | | | | always button down cuffs and pockets. You |
| and tighten them. | | | | should always wear leather shoes to give |
| 5. Make sure the area is clear of paper, tools etc. | | | | adequate protection for your feet. Never wear |
| Store tools in containers and drawers. Don't let | | | | trainers or tennis shoes or plastic shoes which can |
| hoses and cables trail on the floor where they can | | | | melt and stick to your skin. At all times wear |
| be tripped over. Coil excess cables and hoses and | | | | specially designed welding gloves. |