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What PPE do I need for torching holes in steel sheet piles

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When torching holes in steel sheet piles, you need appropriate PPE to protect against hazards such as burns, eye injuries, and inhalation of harmful fumes [1]. Here's a breakdown of recommended PPE:

  • Eye and Face Protection: Use a welding helmet or hand shield with the appropriate filter lens shade to protect against radiant energy and flying objects 4, 7, 8, 18. Goggles should also be worn for additional protection from adjacent work and flying objects [2].
  • Protective Clothing: Wear flameproof gauntlet gloves, a flameproof apron (leather or asbestos), and woolen clothing or chemically treated cotton clothing to protect against radiated heat, sparks, and temperature changes 1, 7. Ensure sleeves and collars are buttoned, and avoid pockets on the front of overalls and aprons [3].
  • Foot Protection: For heavy work, use fire-resistant leggings, high boots, or other equivalent means [3]. Protective footwear as defined in ANSI Z41-1999, shall always be worn while on the job site [4].
  • Hand washing facilities [5].
  • Respiratory Protection: If the steel has lead-based coatings, provide appropriate respiratory protection [5]. Where air samples taken at the welding location indicate that the fluorides liberated are below the maximum allowable concentration, such protection is not necessary [6].
  • Hearing Protection: For overhead welding and cutting, or welding and cutting in extremely confined spaces, ear protection is sometimes desirable [7].
  • Head Protection: Where there is exposure to sharp or heavy falling objects, or a hazard of bumping in confined spaces, hard hats or head protectors must be used [7].

Also, it's crucial to assess the workplace for hazards to determine the necessary PPE and ensure employees are trained on how to use it properly 3, 5.

7 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

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\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 09/01/99. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-15-096 (Order 94-07), 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 7/20/94, effective 9/20/94; Order 73-5, 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/7/73.] ## WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] Fluorine compounds. General . In confined spaces, you must perform welding or cutting involving fluxes, coverings, or other materials which contain fluorine compounds in accordance with WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] (1) through (5). A fluorine compound is one that contains fluorine, as an element in chemical combination, not as a free gas. - Note: Maximum allowable concentration. The need for local exhaust ventilation or airline respirators for welding or cutting in other than confined spaces will depend upon the individual circumstances. However, experience has shown such protection to be desirable for fixed-location production welding and for all production welding on stainless steels. Where air samples taken at the welding location indicate that the fluorides liberated are below the maximum allowable concentration, such protection is not necessary. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 15-24-100 (Order 15-04), § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 12/01/2015, effective 01/05/2016. Order 73-5, 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/7/73.] ## WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] Zinc. - (1) Confined spaces . In confined spaces you must perform welding or cutting involving zincbearing base or filler metals or metals coated with zinc-bearing materials in accordance with WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] (1) through (5). - (2) Indoors . Indoors, you must perform welding…

[2] Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHA 29 CFR 1910)

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## Subpart I-Personal Protective Equipment AUTHORITY: 29 U.S.C. 653, 655, 657; Secretary of Labor's Order No. 12-71 (36 FR 8754), 8-76 (41 FR [redacted postal code]), 9-83 (48 FR [redacted postal code]), 1-90 (55 FR 9033), 6-96 (62 FR 111), 3-2000 (65 FR [redacted postal code]), 5-2002 (67 FR [redacted postal code]), 5-2007 (72 FR [redacted postal code]), 4-2010 (75 FR [redacted postal code]), or 1-2012 (77 FR 3912), as applicable, and 29 CFR Part 1911. ## §1910.132 General requirements. - (a) Application. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact. - (b) Employee-owned equipment. Where employees provide their own protective equipment, the employer shall be responsible to assure its adequacy, including proper maintenance, and sanitation of such equipment. - (c) Design. All personal protective equipment shall be of safe design and construction for the work to be performed. - (d) Hazard assessment and equipment selection. (1) The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall: - (i) Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment; - (ii) Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee; and, - (iii) Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee. NOTE: N…

[3] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

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\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ - Note: In gas welding or oxygen cutting where the torch produces a high yellow light, is not desirable to use a filter or lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in the visible light of the operation. - (j) All filter lenses and plates must meet the test for transmission of radiant energy prescribed in ANSI Z 87.1-1968--American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection. - (3) Protection from arc welding rays . Where the work permits, the welder should be enclosed in an individual booth painted with a finish of low-reflectivity such as zinc oxide (an important factor for absorbing ultraviolet radiations) and lamp black, or must be enclosed with noncombustible screens similarly painted. Booths and screens must permit circulation of air at floor level. You must protect workers or other persons adjacent to the welding areas from the rays by noncombustible or flameproof screens or shields or they must be required to wear appropriate goggles. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 15-24-100 (Order 15-04), § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 12/01/2015, effective 01/05/2016. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050. 01-11-038 (Order 99-36), § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 05/09/01, effective 09/01/01. Statutory Authority: Order 73-5, 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/7/73.] ## WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] Protective clothing. - (1) General requirements . You must protect employees exposed to the hazards created by welding, cutting, or brazing operations by personal protective equipment in accordance with the requirements of chapter 296-24 WAC, Part I, and WAC [redacted identifier]. Appropriate prote…

[4] HIOSH Construction Standards: Occupational Safety and Health (12-8-3)

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Telephone: 1-[redacted phone]; FAX: (540) 3681722; www.atssa.com ; Institute of Transportation Engineers, [redacted street address], NW., Suite 300 West, Washington, DC [redacted identifier]; FAX: (202) 289-7722; www.ite.org ; and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; www.aashto.org ; Telephone: 1-[redacted phone]; FAX: 1-800-5255562. Electronic copies of the MUTCD 2000 are available for downloading at ttp://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/knomillennium . The document is available for inspection at the OSHA Docket Office, Room N2625, U.S. Department of Labor, [redacted street address], NW., Washington, DC [redacted postal code] or at the Office of the Federal Register, [redacted street address], NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC. - (3) The following requirements are added to 29 C.F.R., Part 1926, Subpart R: - (A) Personnel employed in steel erection shall always wear hard hats while on the job site. - (B) Protective footwear as defined in ANSI Z41-1999, shall always be worn while on the job site. - (C) Gloves, special protective clothing, respirators, and any other personal protective equipment shall be worn as necessary. - (D) There shall be maintained at the site a record of the identity of the Structural Engineer of Record (SER), all qualified persons and their area of expertise, and all competent persons for the steel erection activity. - (E) All approvals, certifications, authorizations, drawings, and plans required by this chapter shall be

[5] Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (OSHA)

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## 29 CFR 1926 (OSHA) - (D) Torch burning. - (v) Until the employer performs an employee exposure assessment as required under paragraph (d) of this section and determines actual employee exposure, the employer shall provide to employees performing the tasks described in paragraphs (d)(2)(i), (d)(2)(ii), (d)(2)(iii), and (d)(2)(iv) of this section with interim protection as follows: - (A) Appropriate respiratory protection in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section. - (B) Appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section. - (C) Change areas in accordance with paragraph (i)(2) of this section. - (D) Hand washing facilities in accordance with paragraph (i)(5) of this section. - (E) Biological monitoring in accordance with paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this section, to consist of blood sampling and analysis for lead and zinc protoporphyrin levels, and - (F) Training as required under paragraph (l)(1)(i) of this section regarding 29 CFR 1926.59, Hazard Communication; training as required under paragraph (1)(2)(iii) of this section, regarding use of respirators; and training in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.21, Safety training and education. - (3) Basis of initial determination. (i) Except as provided under paragraphs (d)(3)(iii) and (d)(3)(iv) of this section the employer shall monitor employee exposures and shall base initial determinations on the employee exposure monitoring results and any of the following, relevant considerations: - (A) Any information, observations, or calculations which would indicate employee exposure to lead; - (B) Any previous measurements of airborne lead; and - (C) Any employee complaints of symptoms which may be attributable to exposure to lead. - (ii) Monitoring for the initial determination where performed may be limited to a representative sample of the exposed employees who the employer reasonably believes are exposed to the greatest airborne concentrations of lead in the workplace. - (…

[6] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

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\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ hour or overnight. Where practicable, you must also remove the torch and hose from the confined space. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 15-24-100 (Order 15-04), § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 12/01/2015, effective 01/05/2016. Order 73-5, 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/7/73.] ## WAC 296-24-700 Protection of employees. [Order 73-5, 296-24-700, filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, 296-24-700, filed 5/7/73.] ## WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] General. - (1) Railing . You must protect a welder or helper working on platforms, scaffolds, or runways against falling. This may be accomplished by the use of railings, safety belts, life lines, or some other equally effective safeguards. - (2) Welding cable . Welders must place welding cable and other equipment so that is clear of passageways, ladders, and stairways. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 15-24-100 (Order 15-04), § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 12/01/2015, effective 01/05/2016. Order 73-5, 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/7/73.] ## WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] Eye protection. ## (1) Selection . - (a) You must use helmets or hand shields during all arc welding or arc cutting operations, excluding submerged arc welding. Goggles should also be worn during arc welding or cutting operations to provide protection from injurious rays from adjacent work, and from flying objects. The goggles may have either clear or colored glass, depending upon the amount of exposure to adjacent welding operations. You must provide helpers or attendants with proper eye protection. - (b) You must use goggles or oth…

[7] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)

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\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ during overhead welding or cutting operations. Leather skull caps may be worn under helmets to prevent head burns. - (g) For overhead welding and cutting, or welding and cutting in extremely confined spaces, ear protection is sometimes desirable. - (h) Where there is exposure to sharp or heavy falling objects, or a hazard of bumping in confined spaces, hard hats or head protectors must be used. [Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050, and .060. 15-24-100 (Order 15-04), § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 12/01/2015, effective 01/05/2016. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, .040, .050. 01-11-038 (Order 99-36), § 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 05/09/01, effective 09/01/01. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-20-057 (Order 94-16), 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 9/30/94, effective 11/20/94; Order 73-5, 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/9/73 and Order 73-4, 296-24-[redacted postal code], filed 5/7/73.] ## WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] Work in confined spaces. - (1) General . As used herein confined space is intended to mean a relatively small or restricted space such as a tank, boiler, pressure vessel, or small compartment of a ship. - (2) Ventilation . Ventilation is a prerequisite to work in confined spaces. For ventilation requirements see WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code] through 296-24-[redacted postal code]. - (3) Securing cylinders and machinery . When welding or cutting is being performed in any confined spaces you must leave the gas cylinders and welding machines on the outside. Before operations are started, you must securely block heavy portable equipment mounted on wheels to prevent accidental movement. - (4) Lifelines . Where a welder must enter a confined space through a manhole or other smal…

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