subject: Create Safe Working Environment And Weld Safe! [print this page] Blues flashes or sparks of ignited arcs and smoke filled air with the unbearable smell of ozone into it. If your welding shop is still a reminiscent of such an environment then it is high time to wake up. With time attitudes have changed and this change has brought cutting edge improvements in our technical lives.
These days" people no more dodge showers of sparks from a welding workshop they pass by, because modern workshops are safer, cleaner and more efficient. Welding being one of the most hazardous professions of today is associated with many risks. Such risks are only avoided by creating a safe welding environment. Below are some tips that are integrated into modern welding workshops to escape risks:
Follow safe welding methods
Take care of electrical safety
Beware of radiation and mechanical hazards
Gas leakages
Follow safe welding methods
There are number of good welding methods which are used depending upon the type of work and type of workers. Some of the most popular techniques are arc welding techniques, Gas welding and resistance welding. The least used technique is gas welding as it requires melting and expelling metals from plates, so extra protection is required. The safest technique is resistance welding and is used by most of the welding workshops worldwide.
Take care of electrical safety
Almost all the electrical techniques rely on electrical powers and even a minute problem in insulation or wiring can lead to big mishap. Such mishaps can make workers vulnerable to electric current. Wearing welding protection like clothing with gloves and rubber soled boots is an effective measure butshouldn'tbe considered as totally reliable. Proper maintenance is always the first line of defense. There are also significant dangers from fire sparks and molten metal. Placing any flammable material in vicinity to welding workshop is dangerous.
Beware of radiation and mechanical hazards
There are certain mechanical hazards which might not be directly related to welding but should be looked upon carefully. Hazards like heavy metal handling, handling of thin metals with sharp edges and use of vibrating hand tools like grinders, scaling hammers, pneumatic burns. Such hazards can lead to long term illness or may be a disability, so should be avoided by all means. Radiation poses the most intense threats to human body, especially the laser welding techniques. The radiation which is used to melt metals, if allowed to contact our body would obviously do severe harm. The best method is to isolate the operators and all the other workers from the beam by using welding screens and curtains.
Gas leakages
Although most of the gasses used in welding processes are chemically inert .i.e. helium, argon, carbon mono oxide, theyshouldn'tbe allowed to leak. They pose risks on leakage due to their high weight. So handling the gas cylinders in a proper manner is critically important. If heavy gasses like argon are released into a closed space, workers can even die of asphyxiation. Allequipmentsassociated with gasses should be carefully examined.
