SWP No.
72(W)
SAFE WORKING PROCEDURE
Electric Arc and MIG/TIG Welding
Key Hazards Risks
1. Contact with hot metal 1. Burns
2. Ignition of 2. Fire
gases/workpiece/clothes 3. Electric Shock
3. Faulty equipment causing 4. Eye Damage
electric shock 5. Fume Inhalation
4. Toxic fumes produced by
welding process
DO
x Ensure any welding operations are carried
out by trained, competent welders whether
using gas, arc or MIG equipment
x Check equipment before use-specifically
electric cables, plugs and any compressed
gas equipment
x Ensure adequate ventilation and/or use
fume extraction equipment
x Ensure other operatives in vicinity are
protected from arc welding ‘flash’
x Ensure workpiece is properly earthed in any
electric welding processes
x Ensure suitable fire extinguisher equipment
is on hand
x Check workpiece for coatings liable to
produce fumes when welded
x Protect any vulnerable areas when welding
(e.g. fuel tanks, inflammable materials)
x Select the correct wire/rod for the type of
welding being planned and ensure the
equipment has adequate capacity for the
task
x Use special equipment to prevent damage
to sensitive equipment (e.g. vehicle battery
‘spike’)
nd
x Consider using 2 person to check
possibility of fire starting in unseen areas
which are inflammable when carrying
welding work
Page: 1 of 1
Date: April 2004
Personal Protective
Equipment
1. Welding Masks
2. Gauntlets
3. Face mask or air fed
helmet
4. Fire retardant overalls
or specialist welding
PPE
5. Safety footwear
DO NOT
x Weld if you don’t know what you are
doing !
x Carry out any welding work unless
competent and trained to do so
x Carry out any welding work where
there is a risk of igniting gases/liquids-
purge all containers before starting
work
x Use equipment that is not properly
inspected and fit for purpose
x Carry out any work on materials of
unknown specification-clean
workpiece of coatings before welding
x Carry out any welding work in
confined spaces without specific
assessment of fumes/fire risk
x Carry outany welding work without
adequate means of fire control
x Carry out structural welding unless
you are properly qualified (i.e. ‘coded’)
Specific Training Requirements
x Technical training in welding
techniques (trade qualification)
x Manual handling training
x Recognition of COSHH assessments
x Industrial gases-safety training
References