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Even in metal cutting or repair jobs that are considered routine,
workers should always follow established safety procedures and resist
the temptation to take short–cuts. There are three basic types of
welding operations: |
- Oxygen-fuel gas welding joins metal
parts by generating extremely high heat during combustion.
- Resistance welding joins metals by
generating heat through resistance to electric current.
- Arc welding joins or cuts metal
parts by heat generated from an electric arc that extends between
the welding electrode and the electrode placed on the equipment
being welded.
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There are numerous health hazards
associated with exposure to fumes, gases, and ionizing radiation
formed or released during welding, cutting and brazing, including
heavy metal poisoning, lung cancer, metal fume fever, flash burns, and
others. These risks vary, depending upon the type of welding materials
and welding surfaces. |
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NIOSH published a Criteria Document,
NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Welding, Brazing, and
Thermal Cutting in 1988, recommending that "exposures to all
welding emissions be reduced to the lowest feasible concentrations
using state-of-the-art engineering controls and work practices." |
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NIOSH (National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health) has reported that excesses in
morbidity and mortality among welders appear to exist even when
exposures have been reported to be below current OSHA permissible
exposure limits (PELs), for the many individual components of welding
emissions. |
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Training Objectives: |
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Welding and cutting regulations are found at 29 CFR
1926.350 - .354. Your company must make sure that your welders or
cutters and their supervisors are suitably trained in the safe
operation of their equipment. In addition, they must make sure that
these employees understand the welding process so that they perform
their welding tasks safely. |
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Course Length
Approximately 2.0 Hours |
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