745 Welding, Cutting, and Brazing Safety

Operating Equipment Safely

Safety precautions when operating welding equipment vary considerably because of the different types of equipment involved. Consequently, this course discusses only general precautions pertaining to gas welding and to metal-arc welding. You can find more precautions in the technical manuals furnished by the manufacturers of the equipment.

Operating Gas Welding Equipment

• Use only approved apparatus that has been examined and tested for safety.
• Stow all cylinders carefully according to prescribed stowage procedures.
• Stow cylinders in dry, well-ventilated, well-protected places, away from heat and combustible materials.
• Do NOT stow oxygen cylinders in the same compartment as acetylene or other fuel gas cylinders.
• Stow cylinders in an upright position rather than horizontally.
• If acetylene cylinders are stowed in a non-upright position (valves at the top), do not use them until they have been allowed to stand in an upright position for at least 2 hours.
• Do not allow anyone to tamper with cylinder safety devices.
• When cylinders are in use, keep them far enough away from the actual welding or cutting so they will not be reached by sparks, hot slag, or flame.
• Never place a cylinder in a position that it could form part of an electrical circuit.
• Never interchange hoses, regulators, or other apparatus intended for oxygen with those intended for acetylene.
• Never attempt to:
• transfer acetylene from one cylinder to another;
• refill an acetylene cylinder; or
• mix any other gas with acetylene.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.