Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes

ANSI Z49.1:1999
3.2.2.3 Authorization. Authorization for the
welding or cutting operations shall be obtained from the
designated management representative prior to the commencement
of hot work or entering a confined space.
Supervisors shall oversee that the welder has approval that
conditions are safe before going ahead.
3.2.2.4 Protective Equipment and Fire Protection.
Management shall assure that proper personal protective
and fire protection equipment is used. They shall assure
that fire protection and fire extinguishing equipment are
properly located at the site, and that fire watchers are assigned
and hot-work authorization procedures are followed
where required.
Where fire watchers are not required, a final inspection
shall be made by supervision.
3.2.3 Welders
3.2.3.1 Safe Handling of Equipment. Welders shall
understand the hazards of the operation to be performed
and the procedures being used to control hazardous conditions.
Welders shall handle the equipment safely and use
it so as not to endanger lives and property.
3.2.3.2 Permission. Welders shall have permission
of management before starting to weld or cut. Welders
shall continue to weld or cut only so long as conditions
are unchanged from those under which permission was
granted.
3.2.3.3 Safe Conditions. Welders shall cut or weld
only where all safety precautions have been met.
3.2.3.4 Marking Hot Materials. Where others may
unknowingly come in contact with hot material remaining
from welding, a notice shall be posted.
E3.2.2.3 See 6.3 and 7.1. There are some circumstances
where the authorization must be written; for
example, permit-required confined space entry. See especially
OSHA 29 CFR, Section 1910.146, Permit-Required
Confined Space Standard.
E3.2.2.4 See 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4.
The inspection is usually made one-half hour after the
completion of welding operations to detect and extinguish
possible smoldering fires. Be alert for circumstances which
may require an extension of the final inspection interval.
E3.2.3.1 Welders make the final choice to weld or
not to weld. They need to understand the hazards before
proceeding.
E3.2.3.2 See 6.3. In many facilities, management
grants blanket permission for cutting and welding where
fire hazards are not present.
4. Protection of Personnel and the
General Area
4.1 Protection of the General Area
4.1.1 Equipment. Welding equipment, machines, cable,
and other apparatus shall be located so that it does not
present a hazard to personnel. Good housekeeping shall
be maintained.
4.1.2 Signs. Signs shall be posted designating welding
areas, and indicating that eye protection shall be worn.
4.1.3 Protective Screens. Workers or other persons
adjacent to the welding areas shall be protected from the
radiant energy and spatter of welding and cutting by noncombustible
or flame-resistant screens or shields, or shall
be required to wear eye and face protection, and protective
clothing.
E4.1.1 For example, locations such as passageways,
ladders, or stairways should be kept clear.
E4.1.2 Additional precautionary information should be
posted when circumstances present additional hazards.
E4.1.3 Radiation-protective, semitransparent materials
are permissible. Screens should permit circulation of air
at floor level as well as above the screen. Refer to ANSI/
NFPA 701, Standard for Flame-Resistant Textiles and
Films, for information on ignition resistance criteria. For
additional information on radiation protection (see 4.2.2).
5