Welding & Cutting HazardsWelding and Cutting operations present a variety of hazards, not only to those carrying out the operation but in many instances to others in the vicinity. In the workshop there are a number of hazards specific to welding or cutting and others, of a more general nature, which may also be present in the fabrication environment.

• There are many different types of potential hazards in welding and thermal cutting processes.

• Everyone involved should be aware of what these hazards are.

• Welding and cutting processes are safe, and the risks from the hazards can be reduced, if they are carried out correctly and with care.

Potential hazards need to be identified, measured where appropriate, and assessed, and remedial measures put in place wherever necessary.

Although Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, should not be issued as the primary method of reducing a hazard it should be issued to all personnel if beneficial. Employers and employees should be made fully aware of the dangers that can arise and take all reasonable care to ensure the health and safety of all.

The hazards encountered in welding and cutting may be sub-divided into groups as follows:

• Electrical

• Magnetic Fields

• Compressed Gases

• Fuel Gases

• Inert Gases

• Cryogenic Gases

• Radiation

• Heat, Flames, Fire and Explosion

• Welding Fume and Gases

• Noise

• Material and Manual Handling

• Confined Spaces

• Thoriated Electodes

• Solvents