October Fire Prevention Month for a pipe welding company

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR # Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Part Number: 1926 - Part Number - Title: Safety and Health Regulations for Construction - Subpart: 1926 Subpart J - Subpart Title: Welding and Cutting Standard - Number: - 1926.352 - Title: Fire prevention. - GPO Source: e-CFR 1926.352(a) When practical, objects to be welded, cut, or heated shall be moved to a designated safe location or, if the objects to be welded, cut, or heated cannot be readily moved, all movable fire hazards in the vicinity shall be taken to a safe place, or otherwise protected. - 1926.352(b) If the object to be welded, cut, or heated cannot be moved and if all the fire hazards cannot be removed, positive means shall be taken to confine the heat, sparks, and slag, and to protect the immovable fire hazards from them. - 1926.352(c) No welding, cutting, or heating shall be done where the application of flammable paints, or the presence of other flammable compounds, or heavy dust concentrations creates a hazard. - 1926.352(d) Suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be immediately available in the work area and shall be maintained in a state of readiness for instant use. - 1926.352(e) When the welding, cutting, or heating operation is such that normal fire prevention precautions are not sufficient, additional personnel shall be assigned to guard against fire while the actual

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WAC [redacted identifier] Fire prevention. (1) When practical, you must move objects to be welded, cut, or heated to a designated safe loca- tion or, if the objects to be welded, cut, or heated cannot be readily moved, you must take all movable fire hazards in the vicinity to a safe place, or otherwise protected. (2) If the object to be welded, cut, or heated cannot be moved and if all the fire hazards cannot be removed, you must take positive means to confine the heat, sparks, and slag, and to protect the immov- able fire hazards from them. (3) You must not perform any welding, cutting, or heating where the application of flammable paints, or the presence of other flamma- ble compounds, or heavy dust concentrations creates a hazard. (4) You must ensure that suitable fire extinguishing equipment is immediately available in the work area and you must maintain it in a state of readiness for instant use. (5) When the welding, cutting, or heating operation is such that normal fire prevention precautions are not sufficient, you must assign additional personnel to guard against fire while the actual welding, cutting, or heating operation is being performed, and for a sufficient period of time after completion of the work to ensure that no possi- bility of fire exists. You must instruct such personnel as to the spe- cific anticipated fire hazards and how the firefighting equipment pro- vided is to be used. (6) When welding, cutting, or heating is performed on walls, floors, and ceilings, since direct penetration of sparks or heat transfer may introduce a fire hazard to an adjacent area, you must take the same precautions on the opposite side as are taken on the side on which the welding is being performed. (7) For the elimination of possible fire in enclosed spaces as a result of gas escaping through leaking or improperly closed torch valves, you must positively shut off the gas supply to the torch at some point outside the enclosed space whenever the torch is not to…

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# What are the factors that affect worker exposure to welding fumes? (cont.) ## How can I prevent exposure to welding fumes and gases? (cont.) - Cover the degreaser baths or containers. - Do not weld on surfaces that are still wet with a degreasing solvent. - Do not weld near degreasing baths. - Do not use chlorinated hydrocarbon degreasers. - Safely remove coatings before welding. - Have adequate ventilation in a workplace to prevent the displacement or enrichment of oxygen and to prevent the accumulation of hazardous substances and flammable atmospheres. - Use local exhaust ventilation systems positioned close to the plume source to remove fumes and gases from the welder's breathing zone. - Wear appropriate respiratory protective equipment according to your company's respiratory protection program. Respiratory protective equipment should not replace mechanical ventilation. - Following safe work procedures, such as workers positioning themselves to avoid breathing welding fumes and gases - Risk assessments and occupational hygiene sampling can be performed to determine potential worker exposures and other hazards and to help identify the control measures that are needed. See the applicable occupational exposure limits in your jurisdiction. Fact sheet last revised: 2024-09-25 ## Disclaimer Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, CCOHS does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. CCOHS is not liable for any loss, claim, or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information. Welding - Fumes And Gases CCOHS

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CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Welding # Welding - Hot Work ## On this page What is hot work? What is a hot work management program? Can hot work be avoided? Before performing hot work, what are some general good practices? ## What is hot work? Working with ignition sources near flammable materials is referred to as "hot work." Welding, soldering, and cutting are examples of hot work. Fires are often the result of the "quick five- minute" job in areas not intended for welding or cutting. Getting a hot work permit before performing hot work is just one of the steps involved in a hot work management program that helps to reduce the risk of starting a fire by hot work in areas where there are flammable or combustible materials. The 2024version of NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Standard 51B "Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work," serves as the basis for many current fire prevention practices adopted by industry. CSA standard W117.2-12 (R2017) - Safety in welding, cutting, and allied processes and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard Z49.1: 2021Safety in Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes were created to protect persons and property from injury, illness, and damage from fire and explosions that may occur from these processes. ## What is a hot work management program? Hot work management programs are put in place to control or eliminate hot work hazards and their risks. Programs include the development of policies, procedures, and the assignment of responsibilities and accountabilities for all aspects of hot work. A program includes: 1. Policies a. Where hot work is permitted b. When hot work is permitted Welding - Hot Work CCOHS

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# Safety and health professionals must be familiar with the various types of fire extinguishing equipment and be able to specify the proper selection. by Kris Bancroft (cont.) ## Combustible Materials (cont.) Untreated plywood is, of course, a combustible material, and prudence should accompany its use as a shielding material; however, its use may be justified by the following rationale: Welding or cutting is not a process that occurs uninterrupted for extended periods of time. The welder has to make many and frequent adjustments in the equipment in order to obtain the desired results. The welder must lift the welding hood to make these evaluations and is trained to observe surrounding conditions during this brief respite. One of the conditions foremost in the mind of the welder is the potential for fire or explosion. ## Fire Extinguishers Requirements for fire extinguishing equipment are expressed in subparagraph (a)(2)(ii) and state that suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be maintained in a state of readiness for instant use. Water buckets, hoses, and liquid-filled fire extinguishers are mentioned in the cited examples of adequate extinguishing devices, but they would scarcely be appropriate for extinguishing fires near electrical arc welding and cutting operations unless all personnel in the area were fitted with non-conductive footwear. Because that is not likely to be the case, safety and health professionals must be familiar with the various types of firefighting equipment and be able to specify the proper selection. There are four basic types of fire extinguishers in common use today and classified by the National Fire Protection Association with respect to the type of fire they are capable of extinguishing. Correct symbology, as illustrated below, must be present and legible on all fire extinguishers. * Type A - Type A fire extinguishers are used for combustible solids (articles that burn) such as paper, wood, and cloth. The symbol for a Typ…

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## While working: (cont.) Construction Toolbox Talk Arc Welding and Fire Safety NIOSH CPWR 【● DANGER FLAMMABLE At least 35 feet away from welding work area - Inspect the arc welder before starting any operation. Ground the welder case. - Remove all potential fire hazards from the welding area, for at least 35 feet. - Have the proper class of fire extinguisher (employer provided) nearby, ready for use. For most welding, use a combination fire extinguisher (Class A, B, C). - For magnesium fires, use a Class D fire extinguisher or cover the fire with sand or magnesium foundry flux. GET INFORMATION CDC/NIOSH INFO: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-[redacted phone]) | TTY: 1-[redacted phone] | cdc.gov/info | cdc.gov/niosh CPWR: Contact [redacted phone] | [redacted email] | www.cpwr.com/toolbox-talks DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2022-137 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.[redacted postal code]/NIOSHPUB2022137 | August 2022

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# Safety and health professionals must be familiar with the various types of fire extinguishing equipment and be able to specify the proper selection. by Kris Bancroft (cont.) ## Fire Extinguishers (cont.) Many fire extinguishers are suitable for extinguishing more than one kind of fire, and will therefore carry more than one use designation. The safety and health professional is responsible for ensuring that the welding shop is equipped with an adequate quantity of fire extinguishers suitable for all firefighting contingencies. ## Fire Watchers Most experts consider the zone of potential ignition by sparks and slag generated in welding and cutting processes to be approximately 35 feet; therefore, special scrutiny is given to this immediate area, and beyond, when appreciable quantities of combustibles are imperiled by the welding or cutting operation. When the conditions described above exist, or when welding or cutting operations are undertaken proximate to bulkheads or walls and combustible materials are located adjacent to the opposite side of the wall, the provisions for a Fire Watch, as described in subparagraph (a)(2)(iii), shall be observed. Fire Watchers are tasked with constant vigilance over the imperiled area and are required to be furnished with firefighting equipment, and to have been trained on its use. Additionally, the Fire Watcher shall be versed in the location(s) and operation of fire alarm sounding equipment. Once assigned, the Fire Watcher shall continue to observe the potentially endangered area for a minimum of one-half hour after all welding and cutting operations have ceased. ## Authorization and 'Hot Work' Permits While subparagraph (a)(2)(iv) requires that a designated individual shall both convey permission for "hot work" such as welding or cutting to proceed, and that this individual shall establish the parameters under which such work shall be accomplished, it is noteworthy to mention that written permission for such operations …

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Construction Toolbox Talk Arc Welding and Fire Safety NIOSH CPWR [● If properly inspected and used, the arc welder is safe. If used improperly, it can expose welders to fire, explosion, and burns to the retina (lining of the eye). ## Ben's Story Ben was welding angle iron supports to a steel joist. There were magnesium shavings and cuttings on the ground in his work area. Welding sparks and slag from the welding landed in the shavings, causing a violent fire that engulfed Ben. He died from severe burns, fire and smoke inhalation, and lack of oxygen. - What caused this incident? *How could this have been prevented? *Have you ever been injured while welding, or do you know someone who was injured or killed while welding? If so, what happened? ## Remember This Before starting work: • Inspect the arc welder. • Read all warning labels and instruction manuals for the welder. ## How can we stay safe today? What will we do at the worksite to prevent injuries from arc welding and fire hazards? • Insulate your body from the metal you are welding. • Ground the welder case. CD C National Insund Health NIOSH CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION • Avoid fire hazards such as oil, grease, and flammables. • Remove all potential fire hazards from the welding area, for at least 35 feet. ## While working: • Wear dry gloves in good condition and the right footwear and clothes (long sleeves and pants) to protect from hot sparks, molten metal, and slag. • Do not strike an arc without putting on proper eye protection. • Have the proper class of fire extinguisher (employer provided) nearby, ready for use. - For most welding, it is best to use a combination fire extinguisher (Class A, B, C). - For magnesium fires, use a Class D fire extinguisher or cover the fire with sand or magnesium foundry flux. • Have a designated fire watcher when you weld or cut in areas where major fires can develop (such as combustible materials or materials closer than 35 feet to …

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Fire Precautions for Welding # Safety and health professionals must be familiar with the various types of fire extinguishing equipment and be able to specify the proper selection. by Kris Bancroft As is the case with all hot work tasks, fire prevention is among the foremost safety and health issues for welders. It is the first of the potential hazards listed in the OSHA General Industry standards, cited in 29 CFR 1910.252 paragraph (a), and is subdivided into four parts. ## Basic Precautions Welding and cutting operations produce smoke, spark and slag. Often, the showers of sparks will be punctuated with miniature explosions, causing droplets of molten metal and slag to be hurled considerable distances from their point of origin. This phenomenon is not entirely preventable and is generally caused by one of four factors: 1) There is insufficient oxygen being delivered to the cutting or welding torch and the acetylene is pre-igniting inside the burner tip. 2) The material being welded or cut is contaminated with rust or scale that is being burned off. 3) Two dissimilar metals are being cut simultaneously, and the difference in oxidation rates is causing a reaction. 4) The arc amperage of the welder or cutter is not sufficient for the length of the arc. The basic precautions cited in subparagraph (a)(1) are derived from the Standard for Fire Prevention in Use of Cutting and Welding Processes (NFPA Standard 51B, most recently updated in 1999). The basic precautions are managed by one of four methods, two of which are discussed in the first of three discrete options: 1) Move the object to be welded away from objects that could explode, combust, or ignite when exposed to the heat of the welding process. 2) Move all objects that are prone to explode, combust, or ignite away from the object being welded. 3) Place devices that are designed to shield potentially explosive, combustible, or ignitable materials from open flames, sparks, or hot slag if they cannot be m…