Cutting Machine Conditions

1. Cutting and welding are done by authorized personnel in designated cutting and welding areas to the greatest extend practical.
2. Adequate ventilation is provided for all cutting and welding work.
3. Torches, regulators, pressure reducing valves, and manifolds are Underwriters Laboratory listed or Factory Mutual approved.
4. Oxygen fuel gas systems (e.g., oxygen/acetylene welders) are equipped with listed and/or approved backflow valves and pressure relief devices.
5. Eye protection and protective clothing are worn by all cutters and welders, helpers, and fire watches, as appropriate. Workers adjacent to arc welding areas are protected from the rays by screens or shields.
6. When cutting and welding are done outside of designated areas, the following actions are performed.
7. Permit is completed for each shift.
8. continuous fire watch is maintained, when designated by permit, by trained employees (see employee training, Fire Watch). A fire is attacked only when obviously within the capability of the portable extinguisher.
9. A member of supervision (i.e., craft supervisor) inspects the job site at lest once before the start of each job and at least once every 24 hours until the completion of the job.

1. A craft supervisor determines the best location (s) for the fire watch and verifies that automatic fire protection is in service, that precautions taken are adequate, and that information on the Permit is correct.
2. Combustible materials, equipment, or building surfaces within 20 feet of the work or below the work must be either covered with fire-resistant welding blankets, moved, or wetted down. Openings in ducts, tanks, or other confined spaces within 20 feet of the work are also covered or plugged. Fire-resistant welding blankets are used for electric arc operations instead of wetting the work down.
3. Cutting or welding is prohibited in the following situations.
4. In sprinklered areas while sprinkler protection is out of service.
5. In explosive atmospheres of gases, vapors, or dusts or where explosive atmospheres could develop from residues or accumulations in confined spaces (see item 8).
6. On metal walls, ceilings, or roofs built of combustible sandwich type panel construction or having combustible covering.
7. Confined spaces such as tanks are tested to ensure that the atmosphere is not in excess of 10% of the lower flammable limit prior to cutting or welding in or on the tank. Tests are repeated as conditions warrant, once each shift as a minimum. Mechanical ventilation is continuous when cutting or welding in or on a confined space.
8. When cutting or welding must be done on small tanks, piping, or containers that cannot be entered, they are cleaned, purged, and tested prior to starting the work. For work on combustible liquid or gas piping or tanks, intermittent testing is done during the work and a Job Safety Analysis is provided with the assistance of Fire Protection Engineering.