WELDING
WITHIN
ENGINEERING
Safety with MIG
Welding
WELDING WITHIN ENGINEERING
What is MIG Welding ?
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) also
known as Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding
is a term used to describe an electric
connection between a filler wire and
the base material to melt and join the
metal
WELDING WITHIN ENGINEERING
WELDING WITHIN ENGINEERING
Hazards in Welding
Welding can be a dangerous occupation
Even without accidents the process expose you and those
around you to heat, radiation, foreign objects (spatter),
fumes and high
electrical current
Reckless use of
equipment can
lead to very dangerous
situations
WELDING WITHIN ENGINEERING
Hazard : Heat
▪ The Arc produced during
welding can be between 3000
to 20,000 degrees Celslus
▪ Molten metal particles “splash”
off the weld and can cause burns
and fires
WELDING WITHIN ENGINEERING
Protection : Heat
▪ PPE is used to protect the
worker from heat, radiation
and spatter
▪ Welding curtains are used
to protect others from
these hazards also
WELDING WITHIN ENGINEERING
Hazard: Radiation
Welding exposes the welder and anyone around the work area to
Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation. This exposure poses two risks:
▪ Flash Burn : A burning of the
surface of the eye and/or skin caused
by UV Rays. Same effect as sunburn
▪ Retinal Burn : Burning of the nerve
in the back of an eye caused by extremely
bright arc
WELDING WITHIN ENGINEERING
Protection : Radiation
▪ Long sleeve clothing that completely covers the body
prevent Flash Burn to the skin
▪ Shaded lenses protect against
retinal burn
▪ Screens should be down
when welding to protect
others
WELDING WITHIN ENGINEERING
Hazard : Fumes
▪ Welding exposes you to fumes which can be toxic to your
health if inhaled
▪ Shielding gasses while inert
can cause asphyxiation in
enclosed spaces by displacing
oxygen in the area you weld
WELDING WITHIN ENGINEERING
Protection : Fumes
▪ In order to protect yourself from fumes proper
ventilation must be used
WELDING WITHIN ENGINEERING
Hazard : Electrical Current
▪ MIG welding draws large amounts of current and passes
it through the parent material. This can cause risk of
electrocution
▪ Anytime electricity is involved there is a risk of injury or
death
WELDING WITHIN ENGINEERING
Protection : Electrical Current
▪ To avoid electrical shock welding should be
done in a dry environment
▪ Electrical equipment should be inspected
frequently
WELDING WITHIN ENGINEERING
The Numbers
▪ The risk from fatal injuries from
welding is more than four deaths per
1,000 workers over a working lifetime.
▪ 1/4 of all welding injuries are eye
injuries.
▪ Explosions and electrocutions are rare
but tend to be fatal.
WELDING WITHIN ENGINEERING
Specific Cases
▪ A worker in Queensland was making a tractor counterweight by
welding empty fuel drums to a steel frame. When the worker
placed the welder to the top of a drum, there was an explosion,
engulfing him. The man sustained full burns to more than 95 per
cent of his body. He was transported to Cairns Hospital where he
passed away from his injuries.
▪ A construction worker was killed on June 30, 2004 in California
when a welding torch apparently ignited his clothes while he was
working inside a steel drainage pipe at a construction site at
Highway 29. The man was trapped inside the pipe and burned to
death.