1. Main Hazards in Welding Operations

1. Physical injuries: Strong arc light and ultraviolet rays burn eyes and skin; high-temperature molten slag causes scalds; spatter leads to cuts.

2. Electric shock risk: Electric leakage of welding machines, damaged cables and operation in humid environments may cause electric shock accidents.

3. Fire and explosion: Sparks and molten slag ignite flammables; contact with gas cylinders, oil drums or closed containers may lead to explosions.

4. Occupational hazards: Long-term inhalation of welding fumes, manganese, fluorides, ozone and other substances may cause pneumoconiosis and respiratory diseases.

5. Other risks: Falls during high-altitude operation, poisoning or suffocation in confined spaces, crushing injuries caused by falling workpieces.

2. Standard Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

1. Head and face protection

   • Auto-darkening welding helmets must be used. Sunglasses and plain glass are strictly prohibited as substitutes.

   • Protect against head impact, arc burns and molten slag splashing into eyes.

2. Respiratory protection

   • Wear dust masks or gas-proof half masks for routine operations.

   • Use supplied-air respirators in confined spaces or poorly ventilated areas to prevent inhalation of toxic fumes.

3. Body protection

   • Wear flame-retardant, wear-resistant and anti-static welding overalls, preferably made of thick dark cotton.

   • Do not wear chemical fiber clothes, short sleeves, shorts or sandals during operation to avoid arc burns and molten slag scalds.

4. Hand and foot protection

   • Wear **high-temperature resistant and wear-resistant special leather welding gloves`. Do not use worn or wet gloves.

   • Wear anti-smashing, insulated and high-temperature resistant safety shoes to protect feet from smashing, scalding and electric shock.

3. Safety Requirements for the Operation Site

1. Operating environment cleaning

   • Before welding, remove all flammable and explosive materials within 5 meters of the working area, such as paint, gasoline, wood and gas cylinders.

   • For high-altitude welding, fire buckets and fire blankets shall be installed to prevent sparks from falling and causing fires.

2. Ventilation and isolation

   • Priority shall be given to mechanical ventilation and local exhaust to reduce the concentration of welding fumes.

   • When working in public areas or workshop passages, welding protection screens shall be installed to prevent arc light from harming others.

3. Confined space operation

   • The principle of ventilate first, detect then, operate last must be implemented.

   • Assign special personnel for supervision and rotate regularly. Working alone in a closed container is strictly prohibited.

4. Electrical Safety Protection

1. The welding machine must be reliably grounded with qualified grounding resistance to prevent electric leakage.

2. Welding cables and grounding wires shall be free of **damage, exposure and excessive joints`. Overloading is prohibited.

3. No unprotected open-air operation in humid, rainy or waterlogged environments.

4. When replacing electrodes or adjusting parameters, keep hands dry and avoid direct contact with live parts.

5. After operation, turn off the welding machine switch first, then cut off the main power supply.

5. Fire, Explosion and Gas Cylinder Safety

1. Oxygen cylinders, acetylene cylinders, argon cylinders and others shall be **stored separately and fixed vertically`. Falling, exposure to the sun and impact are strictly prohibited.

2. The distance between oxygen and acetylene cylinders shall be no less than 5 meters, and no less than 10 meters from open flames.

3. Welding oil drums, storage tanks or closed pipelines that are not thoroughly cleaned is strictly prohibited to prevent residual gas explosion.

4. The operation site must be equipped with emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire sand and fire water.

5. In case of fire, cut off the power supply and stop operation immediately, use appropriate fire extinguishers. Blindly using water to put out electrical fires is prohibited.

6. Long-term Protection for Occupational Health

1. Develop good operating habits: try to weld on the upwind side to reduce fume inhalation.

2. Take regular occupational health examinations, focusing on lungs, respiratory tract and eyes.

3. Avoid long-time continuous high-intensity work; take proper breaks to reduce occupational disease risks.

4. Enterprises shall be equipped with fume purification equipment, improve the working environment and fulfill the responsibility of occupational health protection.

7. Key Points of Emergency Disposal

1. Eye burn by arc light: stop working immediately, rest with eyes closed, use special eye drops, and seek medical treatment in serious cases.

2. Skin burns: apply cold compress in time, apply burn ointment and avoid infection.

3. Electric shock first aid: cut off the power supply before rescue. Do not pull the electric shock victim directly with bare hands.

4. Fire and explosion: call the police immediately, organize evacuation, and prioritize personal safety.

Conclusion