Fire Prevention

 

Overview
Welding and metal cutting operations produce molten metal, sparks, weld spatter, slag, and hot work surfaces. All of these can create a situation which can cause fires. At 1910.252 Gen¬eral requirements, OSHA addresses fire hazards.

When are fire watchers required?
A fire watcher is required in situations where:
• Other than a minor fire might develop.
• Combustible material is located within 35 feet of the work.
• Combustible material is located more than 35 feet away but can be easily ignited by sparks.
• Wall or floor openings within 35 feet expose combustible material in adjacent areas or concealed wall or floor spaces.
• Combustible materials are located on the opposite side of surfaces being welded.
• The fire watch is to be maintained for at least 30 minutes following completion of the work.

Fire watchers
Fire watchers are additional personnel who:
• Provide additional safeguards against fire during and after the welding, cutting, or heat¬ing operations.
• Must be trained on the specific fire hazards for that job and location.
• Know where fire prevention equipment is located and how to use it. Fire prevention equipment must be on hand, and readily available for use.

Additional information
Your employer will explain:
• The company’s welding “best practices.”
• The need to check for fire hazards prior to welding or cutting.
• How to obtain a “hot work” permit.
• How to report fires.

Personal Protective Equipment

 

There are a variety of hazards associated with welding and cutting. However, personal protective equipment can help protect you on the jobsite. To help prevent injuries from welding and cutting:

·               Use appropriate respirator—If necessary, use a respirator designed to protect you from welding fumes and gases. Check with your supervisor or the supplier of your safety equipment for protection information. If welding in a confined space, use the appropriate air-supplied respirator.

·               Wear the proper clothing—Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants with no cuffs. Do not wear light colors that can reflect the light from welding. Button the top button of shirts and sleeves. Do not tuck your shirt into your pants. Wool or treated cotton resist burns best. Do not wear clothes with tears, holes, or frays, as these can trap sparks or slag and present a fire hazard.

·               Understand how to care for welding helmets, shields, and/or goggles—Welding helmets, welding shields, and goggles protect the eyes from damage caused by looking at a welding arc or cutting torch. Keep lens covers and filter lenses clean. Do not use cracked filter lenses, and select a filter lens appropriate for the type of welding being performed. A flash burn feels like sand in the eyes, and may not be felt until as much as eight hours after exposure. Repeated exposures can permanently damage vision. In areas where other workers are present, use flash shields or welding curtains to help protect them. In addition to protective filter lenses, safety goggles or glasses prevent sparks from getting into your eyes.

·               Use burn-resistant covers—Leather or fire-resistant sleeves, capes, aprons, and caps are available to prevent burns and protect clothes. Chaps and leggings are also available.

·               Wear appropriate footgear—In addition to being steel-toed, welding shoes should be high-topped and pants should be worn over them to keep sparks and spatter out.

·               Use hearing and ear protection—Ear plugs will keep sparks out of the ears. If noise is an issue, wear the appropriate hearing protection.

·               Use head protection—You are still required to wear the appropriate head protection as required by the jobsite, to protect against sharp or falling objects.