511 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 9-15

Sections

Chapter 10: Welding and Cutting

This chapter underscores the essential safety measures and standardized procedures for welding and cutting tasks.

This chapter underscores the essential safety measures and standardized procedures for welding and cutting tasks.

It mandates comprehensive training and certification for all personnel involved in these operations to ensure understanding and implementation of safe practices, proper use of equipment, and emergency preparedness, and inspections.

The chapter also details the preparation of Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs) and emphasizes the creation of detailed plans for operations involving hazardous materials, focusing on maintaining a clean and safe environment, identifying potential hazards, and outlining preventive actions.

It stresses adherence to ANSI Z49.1 standards is highlighted for all welding and cutting operations, alongside specific safety guidelines for various welding techniques and the handling of equipment and materials, aiming to prevent accidents and health hazards efficiently.

10-1. References.

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 10-1.

10-1. References.

a.  American Welding Society (AWS) (https://www.aws.org/)  (10-1.a)

b.  ANSI/AWS F4.1, Safe Practice for the Preparation of Containers and Piping for Welding, Cut, and Allied Processes (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (10-1.b)

c.  ANSI/AWS Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes (https://webstore.ansi.org/)  (10-1.c)

d.  ANSI/ISEA Z87.1, American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices (https://webstore.ansi.org/) (10-1.d)

e.  NFPA 51, Standard for the Design and Installation of Oxygen-Fuel Gas Systems for Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes (https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards)  (10-1.e)

f.  NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC) (2020) (https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards)  (10-1.f)

g.  NFPA 326, Standard for the Safeguarding of Tanks and Containers for Entry, Cleaning, or Repair (https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards) (10-1.g)

h.  29 CFR 1910, Subpart Q Welding, Cutting and Brazing (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2019-title29-vol5/pdf/CFR-2019-title29-vol5- part1910-subpartQ.pdf)  (10-1.h)

i.  29 CFR 1926, Subpart J Welding and Cutting (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2019-title29-vol8/pdf/CFR-2019-title29-vol8- part1926-subpartJ.pdf)  (10-1.i)

j.  49 CFR 192, Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2019-title49- vol3/pdf/CFR-2019-title49-vol3-part192.pdf) (10-1.j)

10-2. Definitions.

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 10-2.

10-2. Definitions.

a.  Arc Welding. A welding process that joins work pieces by heating them with an arc.  (10-2.a)
b.  Bonding. The permanent joining of metallic parts to form an electrically conductive path that will ensure electrical continuity and capacity to safely conduct any expected current. (10-2.b)

c.  Brazing.  A welding process that joins ferrous metals materials by heating them to a temperature that will not melt them but will melt a filler material which adheres to them and forms a joint.  (10-2.c)

d.  Cable. A conductor with insulation, or a stranded conductor with or without insulation and other coverings (for example, single-conductor cable), or a combination of conductors insulated from one another (for example, multiple-conductor cable).  (10-
2.d)

e.  Competent Person (CP).  See paragraphs 1-2 or 2-2, as applicable.  (10-2.e)

f.  Confined Space. See paragraphs 34-2.  (10-2.f)

g.  Employee.  See paragraphs 1-2 or 2-2, as applicable.  (10-2.g)

h.  Flashback. A backfire of the flame in a mixing chamber of the oxy-fuel gas torch that may progress through the torch and hoses.  (10-2.h)

i.  Fuel Gas. A gas (for example, acetylene, hydrogen, natural gas, propane) used with oxygen in the oxyfuel process and for heating.  (10-2.i)

j.  Gas Metal Arc Welding.  An arc welding process that uses an arc between a continuous filler metal electrode and the weld pool.  Shielding from the atmosphere is provided by an externally supplied gas.  (10-2.j)

k.  Grounding. See paragraph 11-2.  (10-2.k)

l.  Hot Tapping. A procedure of attaching connections to equipment in service by welding and drilling.  (10-2.l)

m.  Hot Work.  Hot work is considered any activity that generates or has the potential to generate, heat, sparks, open flame, or explosion (for example, hot riveting, welding, burning, abrasive blasting, brazing, cutting, grinding, powder-actuated tools, soldering). Grinding, drilling, abrasive blasting, or similar spark-producing operations are also considered hot work except when such operations are isolated physically from any atmosphere containing more than 10% of the LEL of a flammable or combustible substance. (10-2.m)

n.  Hot Work Permit.  Written authorization to perform hot work operations. (10-2.n)

o.  Oxyfuel Gas Cutting.  An oxygen cutting process that uses heat from an oxyfuel gas flame.  (10-2.o)

p.  Oxyfuel Gas Welding.  A welding process that joins work pieces by heating them with an oxyfuel gas flame.  (10-2.p)

q.  Qualified Person (QP).  See paragraphs 1-2 or 2-2, as applicable.  (10-2.q)