• Hot metal,
• Metal fumes and welding gases,
• Noise from high oxygen-burners
• Infrared Radiation

• Ultraviolet and infrared radiation
• Metal fumes and welding gases
• Electrical current
• Hot metal
• Noise

PPE must be used if adequate engineering and administrative controls are not feasible to control the hazards. Each welding or cutting operation, depending on the materials welded on and the type of of welding method, has specific safety and health hazards from which workers must be protected. A Hazard Assessment is required by 1915.152 to protect workers from the hazards associated with these operations.

Note: Shielded arc welding produces high levels of toxic gases (such as Nitrous Oxide (NO_x).

• Noise
• Fumes and gases
• Ultraviolet and infrared radiation
• Electrical current
• Hot metal

PPE must be used if adequate engineering and administrative controls are not feasible to control the hazards. Each arc cutting operation, depending on the the materials used and the type of of application, has specific safety and health hazards from which workers must be protected. A Hazard Assessment is required by 1915.152 to protect workers from the hazards associated with these operations.
 

• Hot work performed on surfaces containing lead, cadmium, or mercury require an air-line respirator to be used if local exhaust ventilation is not provided or effective. [1915.51(d)(2)]
• Hot work performed on surfaces covered with toxic preservatives require an air-line respirator to be used if toxic coatings have not been stripped back at least four inches. [1915.53(d)(1)]
• Other workers exposed to the same atmosphere as the worker must be protected in the same manner. [1915.51(d)(4)]
• Hot work performed on beryllium requires local exhaust ventilation and air-line respirators. [1915.51(d)(2)(iv)]
• If the ventilation equipment blocks access to the space, air-line respirators as well as a stand-by employee must be available. [1915.51(c)(3)]

• Hot work performed on surfaces containing lead, cadmium, or mercury require air purifying respirators to be used. [1915.51(d)(3)]
• Hot work performed on surfaces covered with toxic preservatives require a filter type respirator to be used. [1915.53(d)(2)]
• Other workers exposed to the same atmosphere as the worker shall be protected in the same manner. [1915.51(d)(4)]
• Hot work performed on beryllium requires air-line respirators to be used. [1915.51(d)(3)]

Figure 7: Welder with air-purifying respirator.

• Dark cutting or burning goggles must be used to protect the eyes from UV and IR light.
• A face shield used in conjunction with safety goggles or glasses may be used when necessary.
• The proper lens shade number for the operation must be used. [1915.153(a)(4)]

• Welding hoods with appropriately dark glass viewing ports must be used while carbon arcing to protect the worker's face, neck, and eyes from the arcs UV and IR light.
• The proper lens shade number for the operation must be used. [1915.153(a)(4)]

Figure 9: Arc welding with hood.

• Protection from sparks and slag must be provided. (1915.157)
• Note: Leather or other fire retardant garments provide such protection if they are free of flammable or combustible materials such as oil, grease, or solvents.
• To minimize burn hazards, remove all combustible items such as lighters or matches from pockets.
• To prevent slag and sparks from being caught in clothing, tape pockets and avoid wearing frayed clothing.
• Protection from carbon arcing flash (UV and IR light) is required. Cotton or wool long-sleeved and long-legged clothing can be used.
• Fire-retardant hoods should be used.

• Spats with safety shoes may be used in lieu of high-top boots.
• High-top safety boots should be worn with the legs of the protective clothing over them to prevent slag from entering.
• Note: Boots should be fully laced or zipped. This gear protects the feet from falling or dropped objects.

• Long-cuffed leather gloves free of flammable or combustible materials must be used while carbon arcing.
• Leather gloves (or equivalent) free of flammable or combustible materials must be used while welding, cutting, or burning. [1915.157]