Welding Safety

Welding, Cutting, and Brazing

Hazards and Solutions

Health hazards from welding, cutting, and brazing operations include exposures to metal fumes and to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Safety hazards from these operations include burns, eye damage, electrical shock, cuts, and crushed toes and fingers. Many of these can be controlled with proper work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE). The following links provide information about potential hazards and possible solutions associated with these operations.

Training Materials:

Welding Safety Training DVD's and Kits

1. Wear personal protective equipment. Wear welding gloves, helmet, leather apron, welding chaps, leather shoes, welding goggles, and other personal protective equipment to help prevent weld burns and injury. Make sure the welding goggles or face shield have at least a No. 4 filter lens. Do not wear clothing made of synthetic fibers while welding.
2. Fasten cylinders securely. Do not handle cylinders roughly. Chain cylinders in an upright position to a wall or cart. When regulators are not on cylinders, keep safety caps in place. Caps will prevent damage to cylinder valves.
3. Never use oil on welding equipment. Oil and grease may ignite spontaneously, when in contact with oxygen.
4. Open cylinder valves correctly. Open the valve on the acetylene cylinder no more than three-fourths of a turn so it can be closed quickly in case of emergency. Open the valve on the oxygen tank fully. While welding or cutting, leave the valve wrench in position.
5. Keep the tip pointed away from your body. Do not saturate your clothing with oxygen or acetylene. Before and while lighting the flame, keep the tip pointed away from your body.
6. Light the flame with an approved lighter. Using matches to light the torch brings fingers too close to the tip. Read more...