Section 8395 - Fuel Gas Cylinders(a)(1) Acetylene cylinders shall not be taken below the main deck into the deck houses or confined spaces aboard ship.(2) If a fuel gas cylinder is found to leak at a fuse plug or other safety device, or at valves or fittings which cannot be stopped by closing the valve, it shall be properly tagged and removed from the vessel. NOTE: If a regulator attached to a cylinder valve will effectively stop a leak through the valve seat, the cylinder need not be removed from the vessel.
(b) Welding, Cutting and Heating of Coated Metals.(1) Before welding, cutting or heating is commenced on any surface covered by a preservative coating of unknown flammability and toxicity, a test shall be made to determine its flammability and toxicity.(2) Precautions shall be taken to prevent ignition of highly flammable hardened preservative coatings and when coatings are determined to be highly flammable, they shall be stripped from the area to be heated to prevent ignition.(3) In enclosed spaces, all surfaces covered with toxic preservatives, including coatings which generate toxic substances upon heating, shall be stripped for a distance of at least four (4) inches from the area of heat application, or employees shall be required to use supplied-air respirators in accordance with Section 5144 of the General Industry Safety Orders or the provisions of Section 5150(b) and (c) of the General Industry Safety Orders shall apply.(4) Flame or heat shall not be used to remove soft and greasy preservative coatings.(c) Welding, Cutting and Heating of Coated Metals in Enclosed Spaces.(1) Before welding, cutting, or heating is commenced in enclosed spaces on metals covered by soft and greasy preservatives, the following precautions shall be taken: (A) A designated competent person shall test the atmosphere in the space to ensure that it does not contain explosive vapors in excess of 10 percent of the Lower Explosive Limit. If the concentration exceeds 10 percent of the Lower Explosive Limit, the requirement of Section 8355(c)(3) shall apply.(B) The preservative coatings shall be removed for a sufficient distance from the area to be heated to ensure that the temperature of the unstripped metal will not be appreciably raised. Artificial cooling of the metal surrounding the heated area may be used to limit the size of the area required to be cleaned.(2) Immediately after welding, cutting or heating is commenced in enclosed spaces on metal covered by soft and greasy preservatives, and at frequent intervals thereafter, a competent person shall make tests to ensure that no flammable vapors are being produced by the coatings. If such vapors are determined to be present, the operation shall be stopped immediately and shall not be resumed until such additional precautions have been taken as are necessary to ensure that the operation can be resumed safely.(d) Welding, Cutting and Heating of Hollow-Metal Containers and Structures. (1) Drums, containers, or hollow structures which have contained flammable substances shall, before welding, cutting or heating is undertaken on them, either be filled with water or thoroughly cleaned of such substances and ventilated and tested.(2) Before heat is applied to a drum, container, or hollow structure, a vent or opening shall be provided for the release of any built-up pressure during the application of heat.(3) Before welding, cutting, heating or brazing is begun on structural voids such as skegs, bilge keels, fair waters, masts, booms, support stanchions, pipe stanchions, or railings, a competent person shall inspect the object and, if necessary, test it for the presence of flammable liquids or vapors. If flammable liquids or vapors are present, the requirements of (1) of this section shall apply.(4) Objects such as those listed in paragraph (3) of this section shall also be inspected to determine whether water or other nonflammable liquids are present which, when heated, would build up excessive pressure. If such liquids are determined to be present, the object shall be vented, cooled, or otherwise made safe during the application of heat.(5) Jacketed vessels shall be vented before and during welding, cutting or heating operations in order to release any pressure which may build up during the application of heat.(e) Arc Welder Ground Return Circuit. Structures or pipe lines, except pipe lines containing flammable gases or liquids or conduits containing electrical circuits, shall be permitted to be used as part of the ground return circuit of arc welding or cutting units provided that the pipe or structure has a current-carrying capacity equal to or exceeding the total specified maximum output capacities of all the units which it services.
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 8, § 8395
1. Renumbering from Section 8396 filed 2-14-73; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 73, No. 7).
2. Amendment filed 10-31-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 44).
3. Amendment filed 1-22-88; operative 2-21-88 (Register 88, No. 6). Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.
1. Renumbering from Section 8396 filed 2-14-73; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 73, No. 7).
2. Amendment filed 10-31-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 44).
3. Amendment filed 1-22-88; operative 2-21-88 (Register 88, No. 6).