Safety Regulations for Working with Compressed Air

Make sure all connections are tight.
Do not put the hose into your mouth, nose, or ears.
Do not play or make jokes with compressed air/pneumatic equipment.
Do not use compressed air to blow dust from your clothes.
Hold the compressed air nozzle firmly when you open the air valve.
Put large truck and tractor tires in a cage when inflating them for the first time.
Make sure that the cylinder is not corroded or damaged in any way.

Safety Regulations for Welding, Cutting, Soldering, etc

General Safety

No employer or user of machinery shall require or permit welding or flame-cutting operations to be undertaken, unless:

the person operating the equipment has been fully instructed in the safe operation and use of such equipment and in the hazards which may arise from its use.
effective protection is provided and used for the eyes and respiratory system and, where necessary, for the face, hands, feet, legs, body, and clothing of persons performing such operations, as well as against heat, incandescent or flying particles or dangerous radiation.
leads and electrode holders are effectively insulated.
the workplace is effectively partitioned off where practicable and where not practicable all other persons exposed to the hazards contemplated are warned and provided with suitable protective equipment.

No employer or user of machinery shall require or permit welding or name-cutting operations to be undertaken in a confined space, unless:

effective ventilation is provided and maintained.
masks or hoods maintaining a supply of safe air for breathing are provided and used by the persons performing such operations.

No employer or user of machinery shall require or permit electric welding to be undertaken in wet or damp places, inside metal vessels or in contact with large masses of metal, unless:

the insulation of the electrical leads is in a sound condition.
the electrode holder is completely insulated to prevent accidental contact with current-carrying parts.
the welder is completely insulated by means of boots, gloves, or rubber mats.
at least one other person who has been properly instructed to assist the welder in case of an emergency is and remains in attendance during operations: Provided that the provisions of this sub-regulation shall not apply to a welding process where the maximum voltage to earth does not exceed 50 volts.

No employer or user of machinery shall require or permit welding, flame cutting, grinding, soldering or similar work to be undertaken in respect of any tube, tank, drum, vessel or similar object or container where such object or container:

is completely closed unless a rise in internal pressure cannot render it dangerous.
contains any substance which, under the action of heat, may ignite or explode.
react to form dangerous or poisonous substances.

Fire Safety

Molten metal can spit several feet from a weld.
Grinding sparks are even worse.
Do a risk assessment on your surroundings.
Any sawdust, paper or plastic bags in the area can smoulder and catch fire so keep a tidy area for welding.
Keep a fire extinguisher beside the exit door from your workshop. CO2 is the best type for welding.
A bucket of sand is also a good idea – it could save the expense of having the fire extinguisher refilled.
Do not squirt water or foam extinguishers anywhere near electricity for obvious reasons unless a person who is competent to pronounce on the safety thereof has, after examination, certified in writing that any such danger has been removed by opening, ventilating or purging with water or steam, or by any other effective means.

Health Concerns

Welding arc eye

The light generated by MIG welding is extremely bright.
Looking directly at a welding arc even for a short time causes arc eye when the bright flash from the arc burns the cornea.
The cornea is sensitive to sun burn.
Expect to be awake all night with the sensation that someone is sticking pins in your eye.
For sensible people wearing a full-face welding mask it tends to be the reflected light that causes arc eye.
Welding all day in a room with white-painted walls can be enough.
Welder’s caps are not just to stop sparks.
Be careful to warn anyone else in the area when you are about to start welding and use a welding screen if welding in an area where there might be passers-by.
Be especially careful with pets and children.

Metal Vapour and your Organs

MIG welding and angle grinding results in metal vapours.
Aluminium alloy vapor and fumes from zinc coatings are poisonous.
Exposure can result in heavy metal poisoning (welding shivers) – flu-like symptoms that can persist for a few days.
The zinc coating should be removed from galvanised steel before welding and wear a proper charcoal welding mask when you go anywhere near zinc.
The fumes from flux-cored gasless wire and ARC welding is nasty. Stainless gives off chromium, MIG and TIG arcs give off ozone.
Welding should be carried out in a well-ventilated area.

Protection from UV light and molten metal

The light from MIG welding has a strong ultraviolet content and causes sunburn.
Full covering of arms and legs is essential. If it is hot wear thin clothes in preference to exposed skin.
Although the weld is also likely to spit small blobs of metal out. Welding gauntlets protect the hands and wrists, and it is sensible to wear cotton overalls or clothing.
Take care not to leave gaps in your clothing or shoes where a blob of metal could enter. Blobs of molten metal can burn through any thin clothing and cause small but painful burns.
The metal you weld stays hot for a good while.

Safety Check when Soldering

The soldering iron tip needs to be very hot in order to melt solder. Do not burn yourself with the soldering tip.
Do not inhale the fumes that are released during the soldering process, they can irritate your respiratory system.
If the soldering iron is electrically heated, do not use it while standing in water or engine coolant.
Never apply solder to a live electrical circuit.
Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out tasks.

Safety in Welding

Safety Precautions

Always stand on a RUBBER MAT when arc welding as this protects you from an electric shock. Where there are no rubber mats available, shoes with -rubber soles should be worn. This is particularly important in damp areas.
Always make sure that the floor area is DRY, as electric shocks can be experienced if the floor is wet.
Make sure there are no INFLAMMABLE MATERIALS that can burn easily nearby, as the sparks from the welding could cause a fire or an explosion.
Good VENTILATION is necessary so that you can breathe more easily.
Always protect the eyes of fellow workmen from the arc rays with canvas or special WELDING SCREENS.
Protect all skin from UV light.
Closing your eyes for a few sneaky tacks will not prevent arc eye.
Work in a well-ventilated area (extraction fans not blowing fans as those would blow your shielding gas away).
Wear a vapour mask if your extraction is not great.
Be careful not to have flammable stuff nearby. Welding and grinding sparks can travel a long distance.

Hazards of Arc Welding

Never work with a welder of which the power supply is not connected to the earth leakage circuit breaker.
Never weld when standing in water.
Electrode holder must be thoroughly insulated.
Keep flammable materials away from flying sparks.
A helmet with clear glass must be worn to protect the eyes from flying slag.
A visor with dark filter glasses that fits over the clear glasses must be worn to protect the user against ultraviolet rays when welding.
It is extremely dangerous to look at flame with uncovered eyes when welding. It can lead to painful arc eyes or even blindness.
Caution must be taken when welding any drums. Explosive gasses or substances can lead to explosions.
Certain metals such as copper, manganese steel and galvanised metals emit poisonous vapours when welded.

Welding Galvanised Steel

Do not weld Galvanised Steel! Galvanised steel contains a zinc coating that produces carcinogenic and poisonous gas when it is burned. Exposure to the stuff can result in heavy metal poisoning (welding shivers) – flu like symptoms that can persist for a few days, but that can also cause permanent damage.

Safety when using an Oxy-Acetylene Torch for Heating

Wear a leather apron or similar protective clothing and welding gloves when using an oxyacetylene torch and always use proper welding goggles.

Safety Check

Oxygen and acetylene cylinders must be securely stored in an upright position.
An oxyacetylene torch can produce a large amount of heat. Be aware that any objects you direct the flame towards will become hot.
Always have a suitable fire extinguisher near your work area.
Do not use an oxyacetylene torch near any flammable materials.
Make sure that you understand and observe all legislative and personal safety procedures when carrying out tasks.

Safety for Plasma Cutting

Plasma Cutting Safety

One of the most important aspects of using a handheld plasma-cutting machine is safety. Although the operation of the machine is relatively simple, the power of the machine and the level of voltage that it contains require that safety be a top priority.
Fireproof gloves and a face shield must always be worn.
All plasma-cutting machines are potential fire hazards because they blow hot metal and sparks, so flame-resistant clothing should always be worn.
Any flammable material should be a minimum of 35 feet away from the machine while it is being operated.
Most important, plasma-cutting machines contain a potentially lethal voltage reserve.
If any live electrical parts are touched, fatal shocks or severe burns will occur.
Although the handheld plasma cutting machine is simple to operate, certain mistakes can be deadly.

Fire Hazard

Plasma cutters produce an intensely hot plasma jet. Contact with the plasma jet will cause severe burns and can easily cut through tissue.
Under no circumstances should contact be made to the plasma torch with any part of your body while the machine is in operation.
Never touch the work piece near the cutting area due to risk of burns.
When used for cutting metal, plasma torches create large amounts of sparks and hot metal that can ignite clothing or other flammable items around your workspace.
Wear fire-resistant, insulated clothing and be sure that the workspace is free of fire hazards.

Vision Hazard

As a secondary effect, a plasma jet creates strong amounts of visible and ultra-violet radiation that can be damaging to the eyes.
Sparks and hot metal can cause eye injury.
Wear proper face shields and eye protection while using a plasma torch.
Appropriate eye protection will be detailed in your user manual.

Breathing Hazard

Cutting metal with a plasma torch will generate hazardous gases.
Wear proper respiration gear, and under no circumstances inhale these gases.
If you must inspect a piece as you cut it, view the piece from the side, not from above. This will minimise your exposure to hazardous gas.
Make sure the work area is well-ventilated as well.
An exhaust hood or a space open to the outside is recommended when using a plasma torch. Respirators or other breathing apparatus may be required.

Electrical Hazard

A plasma torch operates using very high voltages.
Torch components are “live” while power is being supplied.
Contact with these live parts carries a high risk of fatal shock, so never touch any part of the plasma torch besides a handle or trigger while it is in operation.
Even when the power switch has been turned off, do not touch any potentially live components. Be sure to wear insulated gloves and clothing, use electrically insulating dry mats, and be sure that the ground wire is securely fastened to the ground terminal.
Make sure that the work piece itself is also properly grounded.
Consult your user manual for instructions on electrical safety specific to your model of plasma cutter.

General Safety

Last, do not operate these machines if you are under the influence of any drugs or alcohol. If you do not have experience operating one of these devices, seek professional consultation and training before attempting to operate one yourself. These machines are extremely hazardous, and improper usage can injure or kill you.