Lincoln Electric is committed to minimizing risks to human health and the environment in and around the workplace. More specifically, Lincoln is dedicated to maintaining the health and safety of its employees, customers and neighbors, as well as preserving the integrity of our environment. This commitment is supported by management and is the individual and collective responsibility of all Lincoln Electric employees.
We will achieve these goals through our EHS system and strive for continuous improvement by:
| Hazard |
Factors
to Consider |
Precaution Summary |
Electric shock can kill
 |
- Wetness
- Welder in or on workpiece
- Confined space
- Electrode holder and cable insulation
|
- Insulate welder from workpiece and ground
using dry insulation. Rubber mat or dry wood.
- Wear dry, hole-free gloves. (Change as necessary
to keep dry.)
- Do not touch electrically "hot" parts or electrode
with bare skin or wet clothing.
- If wet area and welder cannot be insulated
from workpiece with dry insulation, use a semiautomatic, constant-voltage
welder or stick welder with voltage reducing device.
- Keep electrode holder and cable insulation
in good condition. Do not use if insulation is damaged or missing.
|
Fumes and gases can be dangerous
 |
- Confined area
- Positioning of welder's head
- Lack of general ventilation
- Electrode types, i.e., manganese, chromium,
etc. See MSDS
- Base metal coatings, galvanize, paint
|
- Use ventilation or exhaust to keep air breathing
zone clear, comfortable.
- Use helmet and positioning of head to minimize
fume in breathing zone.
- Read warnings on electrode container and material
safety data sheet (MSDS) for electrode.
- Provide additional ventilation/exhaust where
special ventilation requirements exist.
- Use special care when welding in a confined
area.
- Do not weld unless ventilation is adequate.
|
Welding sparks can cause fire or explosion
 |
- Containers which have held combustibles
- Flammable materials
|
- Do not weld on containers which have held
combustible materials (unless strict AWS F4.1 procedures are
followed). Check before welding.
- Remove flammable materials from welding area
or shield from sparks, heat.
- Keep a fire watch in area during and after
welding.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the welding area.
- Wear fire retardant clothing and hat. Use
earplugs when welding overhead.
|
Arc rays can burn eyes and skin
 |
- Process: gas-shielded arc most severe
|
- Select a filter lens which is comfortable
for you while welding.
- Always use helmet when welding.
- Provide non-flammable shielding to protect
others.
- Wear clothing which protects skin while welding.
|
Confined space
|
- Metal enclosure Wetness
- Restricted entry
- Heavier than air gas
- Welder inside or on workpiece
|
- Carefully evaluate adequacy of ventilation
especially where electrode requires special ventilation or where
gas may displace breathing air.
- If basic electric shock precautions cannot
be followed to insulate welder from work and electrode, use
semiautomatic, constant-voltage equipment with cold electrode
or stick welder with voltage reducing device.
- Provide welder helper and method of welder
retrieval from outside enclosure.
|
General work
area hazards
 |
|
- Keep cables, materials, tools neatly organized.<
|
- Indirect work (welding ground) connection
|
- Connect work cable as close as possible to
area where welding is being performed. Do not allow alternate
circuits through scaffold cables, hoist chains, or ground leads.
|
|
|
- Use only double insulated or properly grounded
equipment.
- Always disconnect power to equipment before
servicing.
|
 |
|
- Only use in open, well ventilated areas.
- Keep enclosure complete and guards in place.
- See Lincoln service shop if guards are missing.
- Turn off engine before refueling.
- If using auxiliary power, OSHA may require
GFI protection or assured grounding program (or isolated windings
if less than 5KW).
|
 |
|
- Never touch cylinder with the electrode.
- Never lift a machine with cylinder attached.
- Keep cylinder upright and chained to support.
|
