Program Elements
Protection of Personnel
All personnel involved in welding operations must be protected from burns, sparks, radiation, and fumes through the use of proper safety measures, including:
- Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as:
- Welding helmets with proper shade filters.
- Fire-resistant clothing, gloves, and aprons.
- Safety goggles and face shields for eye protection.
- Providing welding screens or barriers to protect bystanders from arc flash exposure.
- Ensuring proper training in electrical safety to prevent shocks from welding equipment.
Health Protection and Ventilation
Welding fumes and gases can pose serious health risks. Employers must provide adequate ventilation and exposure controls, including:
- Installing local exhaust ventilation systems or fume extraction equipment.
- Ensuring the use of respirators when working in confined spaces or poorly ventilated areas.
- Conducting air monitoring to evaluate exposure to hazardous fumes (e.g., hexavalent chromium, manganese).
- Following OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for welding-related contaminants.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
8-3. Why are welding screens or barriers important in a welding environment?
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