| Welding, Cutting and Brazing | |
| Are only authorized and trained personnel permitted to use welding, cutting, or brazing equipment? | |
| Does each operator have a copy of and follow the appropriate operating instructions? | |
| Are compressed gas cylinders regularly examined for obvious signs of defects, deep rusting, or leakage? | |
| Is care used in handling and storage of cylinders, safety valves, relief valves, etc., to prevent damage? | |
| Are precautions taken to prevent the mixture of air or oxygen with flammable gases, except at a burner or in a standard torch? | |
| Are only approved apparatuses (torches, regulators, pressure reducing valves, acetylene generators, manifolds) used? | |
| Are cylinders kept away from sources of heat and elevators, stairs, or gangways? | |
| Is it prohibited to use cylinders as rollers or supports? | |
| Are empty cylinders appropriately marked and their valves closed? | |
| Are signs posted reading "DANGER, NO SMOKING, MATCHES, OR OPEN LIGHTS," or the equivalent? | |
| Are cylinders, cylinder valves, couplings, regulators, hoses and apparatuses kept free of oily or greasy substances? | |
| Is care taken not to drop or strike cylinders? | |
| Are regulators removed and valve-protection caps put in place before moving cylinders, unless they are secured on special trucks? | |
| Do cylinders without fixed wheels have keys, handles, or non-adjustable wrenches on stem valves when in service? | |
| Are liquefied gases stored and shipped valveend up with valve covers in place? | |
| Are employees trained never to crack a fuel gas cylinder valve near sources of ignition? | |
| Before a regulator is removed, is the valve closed and gas released? | |
| Is red used to identify the acetylene (and other fuel-gas) hose, green for the oxygen hose and black for inert gas and air hoses? | |
| Are pressure-reducing regulators used only for the gas and pressures for which they are intended? | |
| Is open circuit (no-load) voltage of arc welding and cutting machines as low as possible and not in excess of the recommended limits? | |
| Under wet conditions, are automatic controls for reducing no-load voltage used? | |
| Is grounding of the machine frame and safety ground connections of portable machines checked periodically? | |
| Are electrodes removed from the holders when not in use? | |
| Is it required that electric power to the welder be shut off when no one is in attendance? | |
| Is suitable fire extinguishing equipment available for immediate use? | |
| Is the welder forbidden to coil or loop welding electrode cable around his body? | |
| Are wet machines thoroughly dried and tested before use? | |
| Are work and electrode lead cables frequently inspected for wear and damage, and replaced when needed? | |
| Are cable connectors adequately insulated? | |
| When the object to be welded cannot be moved and fire hazards cannot be removed, are shields used to confine heat, sparks and slag? | |
| Are fire watchers assigned when welding or cutting is performed in locations where a serious fire might develop? | |
| Are combustible floors kept wet, covered with damp sand, or protected by fire-resistant shields? | |
| Are personnel protected from possible electrical shock when floors are wet? | |
| Are precautions taken to protect combustibles on the other side of metal walls when welding is underway? | |
| Are used drums, barrels, tanks and other containers thoroughly cleaned of substances that could explode, ignite, or produce toxic vapors before hot work begins? | |
| Do eye protection, helmets, hand shields and goggles meet appropriate standards? | |
| Are employees exposed to the hazards created by welding, cutting, or brazing operations protected with PPE and clothing? | |
| Is a check made for adequate ventilation in and where welding or cutting is performed? | |
| When working in confined places, are environmental monitoring tests done and means provided for quick removal of welders in case of an emergency? | |
| Are there other issues? | |
Information courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration.
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