Section 296-307-49013. How must arc welding equipment be operated?

(1) Employees assigned to operate or maintain arc welding equipment must be acquainted with the requirements of WAC 296-307-490, 296-307-495, and 296-307-500; if doing gas-shielded arc welding, also Recommended Safe Practices for Gas-Shielded Arc Welding, A6.1-1966, American Welding Society.

(2) Before starting operations, all connections to the machine must be checked to make certain they are properly made. The work lead must be firmly attached to the work; magnetic work clamps shall be freed from adherent metal particles of spatter on contact surfaces. Coiled welding cable must be spread out before use to avoid serious overheating and damage to insulation.

(3) You must ensure that the welding machine frame grounding is checked with special attention given to safety ground connections of portable machines.

(4) Cylinders must be kept away from radiators, piping systems, layout tables, etc., that may be used for grounding electric circuits. Any practice such as the tapping of an electrode against a cylinder to strike an arc is prohibited.

(5) There must be no leaks of cooling water, shielding gas or engine fuel.

(6) You must ensure that the machine has proper switching equipment for shutting down.

(7) Printed rules and instructions covering operation of equipment supplied by the manufacturers must be strictly followed.

(8) Electrode holders when not in use must be placed so that they cannot make electrical contact with persons, conducting objects, fuel or compressed gas tanks.

(9) Cables with splices within 10 feet of the holder are prohibited. The welder should not coil or loop welding electrode cable around parts of the body.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040. WSR 98-24-096, § 296-307-49013, filed 12/1/98, effective 3/1/99. WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-49013, filed 4/7/97, effective 4/7/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. WSR 96-22-048, § 296-306A-49013, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.]

RCW 49.17.040. WSR 98-24-096, § 296-307-49013, filed 12/1/98, effective 3/1/99. WSR 97-09-013, recodified as § 296-307-49013, filed 4/7/97, effective 4/7/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, [49.17.]050 and [49.17.]060. WSR 96-22-048, § 296-306A-49013, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.

Rules

296-307-490,296-307-495,296-307-500,