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SAFETY IN WELDING 1.00

Introduction

Welding and related thermal processes utilize compressed gas and/or electric current to provide a concentrated heat source which melts or burns away steel and other metals. Proper safety precautions are required to avoid accidents related to the gas and power supplies, to the sparks, heat, fumes, and visible and invisible rays from the heat source. Authorities in most countries have laid down regulations and guidelines related to welding and other hot work processes, their application onboard ships, the equipment to be used and the protection of the operator.

These regulations must be available onboard, and be known and adhered to when hot work is to be done.

A welded component that fails may

represent a safety hazard to crew, ship and cargo. Classification societies and other authorities have consequently issued regulations and welding procedures for a number of applications onboard. These should be known and followed wherever applicable, and welding should be

performed by qualified personnel under proper supervision.

In this chapter as well as in other parts of the handbook, you will find guidelines on safe handling of equipment, how to protect yourself, and safety precautions that should be observed when welding and related thermal processes are used on board a ship. You will also find extensive information on how and where to use filler materials, and some guidelines as to identifying metals.

This handbook, however, cannot be

considered to be a complete manual for each of these areas, dealing in detail with all the aspects of the various items.

Additional information

should be sought in other publications from Wilhelmsen Ships Service, from authorities and others and by attending training courses. Approved Unitor welding courses will deal in detail not only with the technique required for a successful weld, but also with the safety aspects around welding onboard.

SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU

Do not install, operate or repair equipment for welding or related thermal processes unless you are thoroughly ­familiar with: – The Instruction Manual for the equipment to be used. – Rules and regulations relating to the handling and installation of the equipment.

– Rules and regulations relating to hot work onboard. – Proper use of protective equipment and accessories related to the hot work, like fire extinguishers, fume extraction equipment, etc. – Proper use of the filler material and fluxes for the job.

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