The following components are responsible, amongst other things, for the degree
of toxicity of welding fumes:
-Metals used for the workpiece
-Electrodes
-Coatings
-Cleaners, degreasers, etc.
-Welding process used
The relevant material safety data sheets and manufacturer's specifications for
the listed components should therefore be studied carefully.
Recommendations for trade fair scenarios, risk management measures and for
identifying working conditions can be found on the European Welding Associati-
on website under Health & Safety (https://european-welding.org).
Flammable vapours (e.g. solvent fumes) should be kept away from the arc's radia-
tion area.
Close the shielding gas cylinder valve or main gas supply if no welding is taking
place.
Risks from wel-
ding current
An electric shock is life threatening and can be fatal.
Do not touch live parts either inside or outside the device.
During MIG/MAG or TIG welding, the welding wire, the wirespool, the drive rol-
lers and all metal parts that are in contact with the welding wire are live.
Always set the wire-feed unit up on a sufficiently insulated surface or use a suita-
ble, insulated wire-feed unit mount.
Make sure that you and others are protected with an adequately insulated, dry
temporary backing or cover for the earth or ground potential. This temporary
backing or cover must extend over the entire area between the body and the
earth or ground potential.
All cables and leads must be complete, undamaged, insulated and adequately di-
mensioned. Loose connections, scorched, damaged or inadequately dimensioned
cables and leads must be repaired/replaced immediately.
Do not sling cables or leads around either the body or parts of the body.
The electrode (rod electrode, tungsten electrode, welding wire, etc) must
-never be immersed in liquid for cooling
-never be touched when current is flowing.
Double the open circuit voltage of a welding machine can occur between the wel-
ding electrodes of two welding machines. Touching the potentials of both elec-
trodes at the same time may be fatal under certain circumstances.
Switch off unused devices.
Meandering wel-
ding currents
If the following instructions are ignored, meandering welding currents can deve-
lop with the following consequences:
-Fire hazard
-Overheating of parts connected to the workpiece
-Irreparable damage to ground conductors
-Damage to device and other electrical equipment
Ensure that the workpiece is held securely by the workpiece clamp.
Attach the workpiece clamp as close as possible to the area that is to be welded.
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