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Kansas State University Research and Extension
Identify
and use the safety practices that should be observed when welding
with oxyacetylene gas.
Oxygen
cylinder, acetylene cylinder, regulator, valves, torch, welding
tips, goggles, friction lighter, tip cleaner, personal safety
equipment
- 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.
- 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.
- Never
use oil on welding equipment. Oil and grease may ignite
spontaneously, when in contact with oxygen.
- 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.
- 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.
- Light
the flame with an approved lighter. Using matches to
light the torch brings fingers too close to the tip.
- Set
the operating pressure carefully. Never use acetylene
at a pressure over 15 psi. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations
for the correct operating pressures for the metal being
welded and for the tip size being used.
- Do
not smoke or allow anyone else to smoke near the oxy-fuel
gas welder. If fuel gas were to leak from the unit,
smoking could provide ignition and cause a fire or an explosion.
- Treat
the flame with respect. Keep the flame and heat away
from the cylinder, hoses, and people. Never lay down a lighted
torch. Be sure the flame is out before laying down the torch.
Never walk around with a lighted torch.
- Control
flashbacks and backfires. Make certain that reverse
flow-check valves and flash arrestors are installed on the
oxygen and acetylene lines.
- Do
not leave the work area until the cylinder valves are closed.
Be sure the cylinder valves are closed and pressure is relieved
from the hoses before you leave the work area.
- Never
stand in front of a regulator while you are opening a tank
valve.
- Do
not weld or cut on containers that have held flammable materials.
- Remove
regulators and replace protective caps before transporting
cylinders.
- Store
oxygen cylinders away from acetylene cylinders. A non-combustible
wall at least 5 feet high should be used to separate cylinders.
- Handle
hot metal with pliers or tongs. Do not leave hot metal
on the welding table because unsuspecting persons may touch
it and be burned.
- Check
connections for leaking gases. To prevent fires or explosions,
use soapy water to check connections for leaks.
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and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
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of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
Kansas
State University Cooperative Extension Service, Manhattan, Kansas.
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KSU Cooperative Extension Service provides practical, research-based
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