Welder protection, the first step in welding.

Welding is a delicate operation as soon as there is a significant rise in temperature and production of bright light, the welding mask makes it possible to limit the risks.

However, electric arc welding adds the presence of current to it and the various gas protection methods additionally lead to the handling and release of gases which require welding protection .



Welding protection: risks presented by welding

Depending on the type of welding, risks are presented by the different operations:

Type of weld

Equipment used

Risks presented

Cold welding

Solder paste

Smoke, dust, vapor, gas.

Soldering and soldering
  • blow torch ,
  • oxygen-acetylene torch .
  • Thermal rays.
  • Smoke, dust, vapor, gas.
  • Risks of radiation.
  • Risk of fire and explosion.
  • Miscellaneous risks.

Arc welding
  • arc welding machine ,
  • coated electrodes.
  • Thermal rays.
  • Smoke, dust, vapor, gas.
  • Risks of radiation.
  • Electrical risks.
  • Risk of fire and explosion.
  • Miscellaneous risks.

MIG MAG welding
  • MIG / MAG welding machine ,
  • shielding gas,
  • cored wire.

TIG welding
  • TIG welding machine ,
  • shielding gas.

Risk prevention and protection of the welder

Depending on the risks presented, the workshop equipment and the welder's protective equipment:

Risks

Cause or consequence

Prevention and protection

Smoke, dust, vapor, gas
  • Uncomfortable, unhealthy, irritating or toxic fumes
  • Dust: linked to materials
  • Vapors: chlorinated solvents used as degreasers
  • Gas

The treatment of explosive gases, particles and dust requires specific equipment and precautions such as the extraction of welding fumes at the source.

Thermal rays

Burning of the skin, external damage to the eye.

The welder's personal protective equipment includes:

  • Welder's helmet with screen of suitable material (for electrical welding) or goggles with suitable glass (for welding with torch).
  • Leather gloves with cuffs.
  • Safety shoes and gaiters.
  • Work clothes (pants, jacket, hood) in fireproof cotton or non-flammable technical textile, leather apron.
  • Noise protection depending on the noise level.

Radiation hazards
  • Visible radiation: strong luminous radiance
  • Invisible radiation: UV and infrared

Electrical risks

Linked to bare live parts (welding parts, electrodes, fittings, cables, electrode holder clamp).

Risk of fire and explosion

The use of flames, gas under pressure, electric current producing arcs, sparks, projections represents as many risks of fire or explosion.

Miscellaneous risks
  • Injuries, cuts during the handling of metal parts,
  • Excessive noise levels,
  • Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Aeration and ventilation

While most welding operations can preferably be carried out outdoors, the welder's protection against the release of vapors and gases must be ensured by forced ventilation or ventilation.

The ventilation or forced ventilation above the welding station must meet the risk of gas emission and the exposure limit values ​​according to the type of welding:

Welding

Emitted gases

Limit values ​​mg / m3

Arc welding with coated electrode

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

6

MIG welding (argon - helium)

Ozone (O3)

0.2

MAG CO2 welding on aluminum or stainless steel

Carbon monoxide (CO)

55

Ozone (O3)

0.2

MAG CO2 welding on steel

Carbon monoxide (CO)

55

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

6

TIG welding (argon)

Ozone (O3)

0.2

Applicable texts: Article R.232-5 to R.232-5-14 concerning the ventilation and sanitation of workplaces:

  • Order of October 8, 1987 relating to the periodic inspection of ventilation and sanitation facilities in work premises.
  • Order of October 9, 1987 relating to the control of ventilation and sanitation of premises which may be prescribed by the labor inspector.

Protection of the welder's eyes and face

This is the role of opacifying glass glasses for welding with a welding lamp or an oxygen-acetylene torch and of the welding mask whose glasses must meet standards:

  • The EN175 standard (Eye and face protection for welding and related techniques).
  • The standard EN 169 (Eye filters for welding and related techniques).
  • The standard EN 379 recommends the degree of tint of the glass.

Protection of the welder's hands

The hand protection is intended to combat the cutting action of the sheets, the heat of welding and electrical conduction.

  • The hands are the most exposed part of the body.
  • Wearing gloves is mandatory.

The welding gloves are made of leather with a refractory fleece and a cuff to protect the wrist and forearm and are designed to resist molten metal, flame, convective and contact heat, but also abrasion, cutting by slicing, and tearing.

Welder's gloves must comply with standard EN 12477 (protective gloves for welders).

Protection of the welder's body

The welder's clothing must withstand heat, flame and sparks.

  • Any item of clothing made of synthetic fabric or of a synthetic component is banned, since synthetics can ignite or melt and cause severe skin burns.
  • The welder's clothing (pants and jacket, suit) must be made of flame-retardant cotton or non-flammable technical textiles, well fitted, free of folds, cuffs or pockets without flaps; a leather apron and a bib to hide the neck constitute additional protective equipment against projections and ultraviolet and infrared radiation.

Welder's clothing must meet standards:

  • EN 470-1 relating to protective clothing used during welding operations.
  • EN 531 relating to protective clothing against industrial heat

Protection of the welder's feet

The welder's shoes must be safety shoes with high toe which must be covered by pants or safety boots with insulating sole they must meet the standard EN 345.

Welding regulations

  • Decree n ° 88-1056 of November 14, 1988 modified by decree n ° 95-608 of May 6, 1995 (OJ of 7) taken for the execution of the provisions of book II of the Labor Code (title III: Hygiene, safety and working conditions) with regard to the protection of workers in establishments using electrical currents.
  • Decree of 7/12/84 on the average concentrations of inhalable and cellular dust in rooms with specific pollution.
  • Decree of August 13, 2004 amending the decree of June 1, 2004 relating to the professional title of coated arc welder and TIG.
  • Order of August 10, 2004 relating to the professional title of semi-automatic arc welder.
  • Order of June 1, 2004 relating to the professional title of semi-automatic welder MIG, MAG and cored wire.
  • Decree of December 22, 2003 relating to the professional title of welding technician.
  • Order of March 19, 1993 establishing, in accordance with article R.237-8 of the Labor Code, the list of hazardous work for which a prevention plan is established in writing. Oxyacetylene welding work requiring the use of a "fire permit".
  • Order of December 14, 1988 relating to electric currents implemented without electric resistance arc welding and related techniques.
  • Article R.232-5 to R.232-5-14 concerning the ventilation and sanitation of workplaces.
  • Order of October 8, 1987 relating to the periodic control of ventilation and sanitation facilities in work premises.
  • Order of October 9, 1987 relating to the control of ventilation and sanitation of premises which may be prescribed by the labor inspector.