Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work (2019)

The next Steps cover Cal/OSHA safety regulations for Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work. Where appropriate, we have referenced the code from Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.

The topics we will cover in this Navitent are:

-Hazards
-Controls
-Gas Welding
-Arc Welding
-Ventilation Regulations
-Supplied-Air Respirators
-HAZCOM Program

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Select 'Successful' now and proceed.

Hazards

Each year numerous deaths from explosions, electrocutions, asphyxiation, falls, and crushing injuries are associated with hot work activities.

These deaths from hot work often occur in confined or restricted spaces.

In addition, numerous health hazards including heavy metal poisoning, lung cancer, metal fume fever, flash burns, and welders flash (burn to the eyes) are associated with exposure to fumes, gases, and ionizing and non-ionizing radiation formed or released during welding, cutting, brazing, and other hot work.

Controls

Before workers begin a hot work, the following controls must be established:

-No welding is permitted in an explosive environment. 4848

-A written “hot work” permit is recommended whenever a combustible environment may exist. 4848

-All combustible materials in the work area must be removed or shielded. 4848

-Suitable fire extinguishers that meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards must be provided in the work area. 4848

-Welding blankets, curtains, and pads shall be approved for their intended use in accordance with Section 3206 of these Orders. 4848(b)

-Employers must instruct employees on hot work safety. 4848(a)

-Welders must be required to wear:
a. Non-flammable gloves with gauntlets.
b. Appropriate foot protection.
c. Aprons (leather) and shirts that have sleeves and collars.
d. Helmets, hoods, and face shields suitable for head protection.
e. Suitable eye protection.
f. Respiratory protection (as required).
g. Screens must be provided to protect the eyes of nonwelders from flash burns and ultraviolet light rays.

Gas Welding

Gas welding is regulated as follows:

-Fuel gas and oxygen hoses must be distinguished from each other. 1742(a)

-Couplings must not disconnect by means of a straight-pull motion. 1742(g)

-Oil or grease must never come into contact with oxygen equipment. 1743(c)

-Oxygen from a system without a pressure regulation device must never be used. 1743(e)

-Gas cylinders must be stored and used as follows:
a. Cylinders must be protected from all heat sources.
b. Cylinders containing oxygen, acetylene, or fuel-gases shall not be taken into confined spaces.
c. Acetylene and Fuel gas cylinders, including but not limited to welding and cutting fuel gas cylinders, shall be stored and used with the valve end up.
Exception: fuel gas cylinders containing fuel gas used to power industrial trucks regulated by Article 25 of the General Industry Safety Orders (GISO).
d. All gas cylinders in service shall be securely held in substantial fixed or portable racks, or placed so they will not fall or be knocked over.
e. Cylinders must be handled in suitable cradles with their valve caps installed; they must never be lifted by magnet, rope, or chain.
f. Cylinders must not be placed where they might form a part of any electric circuit.
g. Oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet high having a fire- resistance rating of at least one-half hour.
h. Valve stem wrenches must be left in place while cylinders are in use.
i. A fire extinguisher rated at least 10 B:C must be kept near the operation.
j. Backflow protection is required.

Arc Welding

Arc welding is regulated as follows:

-Cables in poor condition must not be used; no cable may be spliced within 10 feet of the electrode holder. 4851(e)(2)

-The frames of arc welding and cutting machines must be grounded. 4851(f)(5)

-Electrodes and holders that are not in use shall be protected so they cannot make electrical contact with employees or conducting objects. 4851(g)

-Defective equipment must not be used. 4851(j)

Ventilation Regulations

Ventilation regulations for welding, cutting, and brazing operations require that worker’s exposure(s) to hazardous fumes, gases, and vapors be reduced below Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs). 1536, 1537, 5155.

-Outdoor operations: respirators are required for any operation involving beryllium, cadmium, lead, or mercury. For other operations and materials, respirators are not required when natural or mechanical ventilation is sufficient to prevent exposure to airborne contaminants in excess of the Permissible Exposure Limit (PELs) noted in 5155. 1536(c)

- Indoor operations: respirators shall be used when local exhaust or mechanical ventilation is not feasible or able to prevent exposures that exceed limits specified in 5155

Supplied-Air Respirators

In enclosed spaces supplied-air respirators shall be used when local exhaust ventilation is not an effective means for preventing potentially hazardous exposures. 1536(b), 5152

HAZCOM Program

Employer needs to include all potentially hazardous materials involved in welding and cutting such as fluxes, coatings, coverings, and filler metals in the HAZCOM program.

Employer also must provide employee access to labels and safety data sheets, and train as per 5194, 5150.

How much did this Navitent help you to understand the Cal/OSHA safety regulations for Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work, including:

-Hazards
-Controls
-Gas Welding
-Arc Welding
-Ventilation Regulations
-Supplied-Air Respirators
-HAZCOM Program

Select your response below.

Note: while you don't need to remember all the information in this Navitent, you do need to remember that it is in your Navitent library to refer to when you need it. Go to the Title 8 regulations in the CA Code of Regulations and to the CA Labor Code for detailed information regarding the scope, specifications, and exceptions of a particular regulation and for other requirements that may be applicable to their operations.