December 7,2011

Having in-house welders can save you money and time--production doesn't have to wait nearly as long for a piece of equipment to be repaired.

But welding is one of the more hazardous activities in the workplace, and being careless about it can cause severe injuries, death, or property damage. Here are a few things to remember if you're going to have your employees perform welding activities.

Arc flash hazards webinar Coming December 14. » Learn more

1. Ensure employees are properly trained: Welding does not look very complicated, so many people think that little or no training is required. But training is essential to prevent injury and property damage. Employees need training on the specific type of welding they will be doing (there are significant differences between gas and arc welding, for example).
   
   Additionally, extra training is required for certain tasks. For example, welding in confined spaces requires training above and beyond the basics, as does welding on certain materials or pressure vessels.
2. Inspect equipment: Many welding-related accidents are directly related to using damaged equipment. Each and every time your welders begin working, equipment should be carefully checked for damage. Damaged equipment should be removed from service immediately and repaired or replaced. Also, all personal protective equipment (PPE) needs to be checked for damage--using damaged PPE can result in serious burn injuries.
3. Pay close attention to fire prevention: All companies that utilize onsite welding should establish and follow proper fire prevention procedures. Small welding jobs are often a greater fire risk than large ones because employees don't want to take the time to follow procedures (since they may actually take longer than the job itself). Also, if you have contractors welding on your site, ensure that they follow your fire prevention rules.
4. Beef up your first aid: First aid training often doesn't provide much detail on treating burn injuries--particularly serious burn injuries. If welding occurs at your facility, first aid training should include in-depth coverage of both minor burns and serious burns.
   
   Also, standard, off-the-shelf first aid kits generally include only a smattering of burn treatment supplies--not nearly enough to treat anything other than very small minor burns. You should consider investing in additional burn treatment supplies.

Arc flash incidents can cause fires, serious injuries, and death Arc flash incidents can, tragically, be fatal for both your workers and the health of your business. Surprisingly, given the high human and dollar costs, many employers are unclear on the OSHA rules relating to electrical hazards. Join us for an informative webinar, Arc Flash Hazards and NFPA-70E, on December 14 and get the information you need to keep your employees safe and your business in compliance. How to separate compliance fact from fiction in this area What both OSHA and NFPA require How to assess your arc flash and shock hazard levels The essentials of an electrical safety policy and program Why lockout-tagout procedures are an essential first line of defense How to identify the level of arc flash hazard and apply the NFPA 70E standard What to look for using the NFPA 70E tables to help you source the right PPE and insulated tools for the job How to evaluate your electrical safety procedures and make any necessary changes! Register Now!