Page 29 - Occupational Health & Safety, April 2017

tions, relocating combustible materi- als if possible, having fire extinguishing equipment on hand, and fire watches. It includes this section:
ed by being aware of your surroundings, minimizing the combustibles in them, and taking the appropriate protective precau- tions,” the fact sheet states. It advises the welder to provide adequate ventilation in work areas in order to prevent flammable gas, vapor, or dust accumulations and also to thoroughly check the area for any evi- dence of fire after the welding or cutting operation is completed.
“When needed, have a qualified fire- watcher in the work area during and for at least 30 minutes after the job is finished,” it explains. “After welding or cutting, make a thorough examination of the area for evidence of fire. Remember that easily vis- ible smoke or flame may not be present for some time after the fire has started. Be alert, combustibles such as wood dust can smol- der for extended periods of time (days).”
PPE and Training Requirements
Burns and eye injuries are the most com- mon types of injuries for welders. The right PPE—protective clothing, gloves, welding
helmets, respiratory protection—are ad- dressed in both 1910.252(b)(3), which says employees engaged in welding, cutting, or brazing tasks shall wear protective cloth- ing, and by 1910.132, the general OSHA PPE standard.
The PPE standard says step one is the employer’s hazard assessment, followed by PPE selection and worker training. Once trained, workers should understand when PPE is needed and what types of PPE are needed; how to put on and take off their PPE properly; the limitations of their PPE; and proper care and maintenance of this protective equipment.
Jerry Laws is the editor of Occupational Health & Safety.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC3544431/
2. http://www.aws.org/standards/page/safety- health-fact-sheets
1910.252(a)(2)(xv)
Fire prevention precautions. Cutting or welding shall be permitted only in areas that are or have been made fire safe. When work cannot be moved practically, as in most construction work, the area shall be made safe by removing combus- tibles or protecting combustibles from ignition sources.
The American Welding Society’s safety and health fact sheet on fires and explo- sions2 summarizes the nature of fire hazards and how they can be avoided. It, like the OSHA standard, says combustible materials should be at least 35 feet away from a weld- er’s work area to prevent them from being ignited by sparks, spatter, or molten metal.
“Fires and explosions can be prevent-
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