SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING:
As with all machinery, there are certain hazards involved with their operation
and use. Exercising respect and caution will considerably lessen the risk of
personal injury. However, if normal safety precautions are overlooked, or
ignored, personal injury to the operator may result.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY
1. GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
A) Burn prevention
Wear protective clothing - gauntlet gloves designed for use in welding, hat, and
protective shoes. Button shirt collar and pocket flaps, and wear cuffless trousers to
avoid entry of sparks and slag. Wear helmet with safety goggles or glasses with side
shields underneath, appropriate filter lenses or plates (protected by clear cover
glass). This is a MUST for welding or cutting, (and chipping) to protect the eyes from
radiant energy and flying metal. Replace cover glass when broken, pitted, or
spattered. Avoid oily greasy clothing. A spark may ignite them. Hot metal such as
electrode stubs and workpieces should never be handled without gloves. First aid
facilities and a qualified first aid person should be available for each shift unless
medical facilities are close by for immediate treatment of flash burns of the eyes
and skin burns. Ear plugs should be worn when working overhead or in a confined
space. A hard hat should be worn when others work overhead. Flammable hair
preparations should not be used by persons intending to weld or cut.
B) Toxic fume prevention
Severe discomfort, illness or death can result from fumes, vapours, heat, or oxygen
enrichment or depletion that welding (or cutting) may produce. Prevent them
with adequate ventilation. NEVER ventilate with oxygen. Lead-, cadmium-, zinc-,
mercury- and beryllium-, bearing materials, when welded (or cut) may produce
harmful concentrations of toxic fumes. Adequate local exhaust ventilation must
be used, or each person in the area as well as the operator must wear an air-
supplied respirator. For beryllium, both must be used. Metals coated with or
containing materials that emit toxic fumes should not be heated unless coating is
removed from the work surface, the area is well ventilated, or the operator wears
an air-supplied respirator. Work in a confined space only while it is being ventilated
and, if necessary, while wearing an air-supplied respirator. Vapours from chlorinated
solvents can be decomposed by the heat of the arc (or flame) to form PHOSGENE,
a highly toxic gas, and other lung and eye irritating products. The ultraviolet
(radiant) energy of the arc can also decompose trichloroethylene and
perichloroethylene vapours to form phosgene. DO NOT WELD or cut where solvent
vapours can be drawn into the welding or cutting atmosphere or where the radiant
energy can penetrate to atmospheres containing even minute amounts of
trichloroethylene or perchloroethylene.
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PREPARATION OF THE WORKING AREA
The working area must be sufficiently spacious, not humid, and well-ventilated as
to avoid any fumes which develop from the welding process and from incidental
material adhering to the pieces to be welded (oils, paints, tars...) which may cause
annoyance to the operator.
Avoid welding by contact with humid parts nearby combustible liquids. Least of
all, do not weld upon tanks which may contain inflammable residuals.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
A comprehensive range of CLARKE safety equipment for use when welding is
available from your local CLARKE dealer.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR ARC WELDERS
NEVER attempt to remove any of the panels unless the machine is
disconnected from the supply.
NEVER use the machine with any of the panels removed.
NEVER attempt any electrical or mechanical repair unless your are a qualified
technician. If you have a problem with the machine contact your local
CLARKE dealer.
NEVER use or store in a wet/damp environment. DO NOT EXPOSE TO RAIN.
NEVER allow children or animals in the vicinity of a welding operation.
ALWAYS remove all flammable materials from the welding area.
ALWAYS ensure that there is full free air circulating around the outer casing of
the machine, and that the louvres are unobstructed.
Welding arc can seriously damage your eyes. Both the operator and any
spectators should ALWAYS use a proper welding face shield or helmet, with
suitable filter lenses. Proper gloves and working clothes should be worn at all
times.
ALWAYS wear a pair of safety spectacles/goggles when chipping away slag
after welding,. Remember, ordinary eye glasses are not safety gasses.
ALWAYS ensure there is adequate ventilation or extraction in the work area
as the welding process gives off toxic fumes.
ALWAYS ensure there is a fire extinguisher on hand.
ALWAYS ensure that a medical supply is on hand, and that treatment for
burns is provided.
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