Welding, Cutting, Brazing, Soldering Summary

Applies to:

This program applies to employees who perform welding, cutting, brazing, or soldering while on the job. It does not apply to home use; however, the safety information provided is beneficial to anyone performing this type of work regardless of location.

Responsibilities

Welding, cutting, and other hot work applications can present serious fire, health, and physical hazards leading to significant property damage, injury, and/or loss of life. The hot work performed may be in occupied buildings, which increases the risk of personnel injuries even more. Information on these pages is intended to increase awareness of such hazards and controls; not to teach personnel how to weld/cut. Personnel performing welding and cutting must be suitably trained in the safe operation of their equipment and the safe work practices of the welding/cutting processes.

Departments

Departments that have personnel welding, cutting, brazing, soldering must ensure that:

• The equipment provided in is good condition. 
• Personnel are trained and familiar with the proper and safe use of welding and cutting equipment (including previous training or experience), and the associated hazards and controls.
• Required documentation, such as a Hazard Communication Plan and relative Safety Data Sheets, are maintained and employees must receive Right-to-Know level training.
• Appropriate personal protective equipment is provided to personnel.

Supervisors

The supervisor is responsible for securing or issuing a Hot Work Permit prior to the start of welding/cutting operations, including ensuring fire protection and extinguishing equipment availability. Supervisors must attend Hot Work Supervisor training and be approved to issue permits. 

Supervisors are responsible for the safe handling of welding/cutting equipment and the safe work practices involved in the processes. The work area must be inspected for combustible materials and hazardous areas present, or likely to be present, in the work area. If combustibles are present where welding or cutting will be performed, the supervisor shall ensure that the combustibles are protected or moved, the work is moved to another location, and that work is scheduled around operations that may pose a concern. 

Supervisors must ensure that relative information regarding welding and cutting operations is conveyed to the individuals involved. Location of Safety Data Sheets and relative information regarding hazards must be reviewed with employees prior to beginning work.

Employees

Personnel performing hot work must:

• Attend safety training on welding/cutting hazards and controls.
• Attend Portable Fire Extinguisher training.
• Follow recommended practices described in this program.
• Attend Hazard Communication RTK (Right-to-Know) training.
• Review relative information, such as Safety Data Sheets, prior to beginning work.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment for the task.