Wash. Admin. Code § 296-307-49013

Current through Register Vol. 24-20, October 15, 2024

Section 296-307-49013 - Operating arc welding equipment

(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 must 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) The employer 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) The employer 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.

Wash. Admin. Code § 296-307-49013

Amended by WSR 20-21-091, Filed 10/20/2020, effective 11/20/2020

Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040. 98-24-096, § 296-307-49013, filed 12/1/98, effective 3/1/99. 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. 96-22-048, § 296-306A-49013, filed 10/31/96, effective 12/1/96.