Safety in

Arc Welding
HSE TECHNICAL OVERVIEW

Version 1, 25-OCT-2021
 Arc Welding

• Arc welding is a type

of welding process using an
electric arc to create heat to melt and
join metals.
• A power supply creates an
electric arc between a consumable or
non-consumable electrode
Causes of Fires during Welding

• Welding operations produce sparks which can travel long

distances.

• The hot slag of burning metals may drop down as bubbles

which retain their heat for a very long period and can start a
fire long after the welding job is completed.
Causes of Fires during Welding

• Heat during welding to a closed vessel, pipe or tank - result

in an explosion- if the it contains flammable liquids or gases

• An empty vessel that had contained a flammable material is

more dangerous than one fully filled with flammable
material, because it may be full of invisible vapors.
Precautions for Fires During
Welding Activity

Before Welding
Recommending work Permit
Inspection of Workplace

• Check if the area contains flammable

liquid / gases.
• Ensure that there are no floor openings
or open windows nearby or any such
ready access through which sparks can
pass and fall on combustible materials
Cover Combustible Material

• If any of the combustible materials cannot

be removed, cover it with non-
combustible coverings like metal sheets or
asbestos curtains
 Confined Space

• In case welding has to be done in a confined

space.

• Ensure that a detailed ‘permit-to-work’

procedure involving isolation, blanking,
purging, inerting methods is followed.

• Pipe or other container which contains or

had earlier contained flammable liquids.
Fire Booth

• Use portable screens,

booths or partitions to
minimize the spread of
sparks.
During Welding : Keep Fire Extinguisher

• Keep on observer ready with a

portable extinguisher (dry powder),
water buckets etc.
During Welding : Tight Connection

• Check the connections, cables

and provide copper lugs for
welding machine cables.
After Welding : Inspection

• Inspect the area for sparks or

smoldering materials. If you find any,
remove and extinguish them.
PPEs for doing HOT Work
 Face Shield

• Face shield shall protect the face,

forehead, neck, and ears from the direct
radiant energy from the arc and from
direct weld spatter
Head and Ear Protection

• Wear a fire-resistant welder’s cap or

other head covering.
• It will protect your head and hair from
flying sparks, spatter, burns and radiation
 Ear Protection

• If loud noise is present, wear approved

ear-plugs or muffs to protect your
hearing.
• They also prevent sparks, spatter and hot
metal from entering ears and causing
burns.
Foot Protection

• Wear leather, steel-toed, high-topped

boots.
• Wear the bottoms of your pants over
the tops of the boots to keep out
sparks and flying metal.
• Do not tuck pant legs into the boots.
• It will help protect the feet and ankles
from injury.
Hand Protection

• Always wear dry, hole-free, insulated,

flame-resistant gloves such as leather
welder’s gloves.
• They will protect hands from burns,
sparks, heat, cuts, scratches, and electric
shock.
Body Protection

• Wear oil-free protective clothing that allows

freedom of movement and covers all areas of
exposed skin.
• Wear long sleeved shirts and button the cuffs,
pockets and collar.
 Remove all Flammable Items

 Remove all flammable, matches

and cigarette lighters form
pockets.
Safety From Radiation

• Ultraviolet radiation increases

approximately as the square of the
welding current.
• These can be protected by
adopting following measures.
Distance

• Locate welding operations so that

other workers are not exposed to
either direct or reflect radiation.
 Shielding

• Use screens, curtains or

adequate distances from other
workstations, aisles, or walk
ways to avoid exposure.
Thanks!