Subject: Welding, Cutting and Brazing Fire Prevention

SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRICAL CO., INC.

NOVEMBER, 2008

FROM: MANAGER

TO: ALL EMPLOYEES

SUBJECT: WELDING, CUTTING AND BRAZING FIRE PREVENTION

AND PROTECTION

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the policy is to define the requirements for welding, cutting and brazing to prevent fires and injuries on the jobsite.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR:

Manager of operations has been assigned the administrative responsibility of Welding, Cutting and Brazing Fire Prevention program.

HOT WORK:

SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRICAL CO., INC. will follow the hot work permit system. The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that all steps are followed prior to and during any hot work.

HOT WORK MEANS: welding, grinding, cutting, burning, use of torch or other spark producing activities

The following procedure specifies the minimum requirements for any Hot Work.

SUPERVISOR:

(A) The supervisor shall be responsible for the safe handling of cutting and welding equipment and safe use of.

(B) Shall determine the combustible materials and hazards areas present.

(1) Have the work moved to a location free from danger

(2) If work cannot be moved, have combustibles moved, or shielded.

(D) Shall determine that fire protection and extinguishing equipment are at the site.

(E) When fire watchers are required, and see that they are available at the site.

FIRST AID KITS:

First Aid Kits will be on site at all times.

CONFINED SPACE:

GENERAL. As used with this procedure a confined space is intended to mean a relatively small or restricted space such as a tank, boiler, pressure vessel, or small compartments.

VENTILATION. Ventilation is a requirement when working in a confined space. Either air movers, air or steam operated, or air movers (fans) will be used. Air movement must meet the standard.

SECURING CYLINDERS & MACHINERY. When welding or cutting is being performed in any confined spaces the gas cylinders and welding machines shall be left on the outside. Before operations are started, heavy portable equipment mounted on wheels shall be securely blocked to prevent accidental movement.

LIFELINES. When a welder must enter a confined space through a manhole or other small opening, means shall be provided for quickly removing him/her in case of emergency. Safety body harness and lifelines will be attached to the welder's body so that his/her body cannot be jammed in a small exit opening. A trained attendant will be stationed outside to observe the welder at all times. A rescue procedure will be in place prior to any operations.

ELECTRODE REMOVAL. When arc welding is to be suspended for and substantial period of time, such as lunch break, or when the welder will be out of the immediate work area, the electrode will be removed from the holder.

GAS CYLINDER SHUT OFF. Gas cylinders will be stored outside the confined space and when not in use the valves will be closed. When practicable, long periods of not using the torch, it should be removed. The torch and hose will be removed when the work is shutdown for lunch and at night.

WARNING SIGNS. After welding operations are completed, the welder will mark the hot metal to provide warning to other workers. This can be done with sign, or barricades.

SPECIAL CAUTION:

Special caution shall be exercised in welding or burning of bronze, brass, galvanized iron, cadmium plating, zinc, mercury, beryllium, or painted piping which might produce harmful fumes and poisoning. Adequate ventilation shall be provided when the work is in progress.

PERMITS:

When required a HOT WORK PERMIT will be issued for hot work operations. The permit shall document that the fire prevention and protection requirements in 29 CFR 1910.252 (a) have been implemented prior to beginning hot work. Permit shall indicate: Date authorized for hot work, identify object on which hot work will be performed, and permit will be kept on file.

FIRE PREVENTION: 29 CFR 1910.252 (a)

Fire Hazards If the object to be welded or cut cannot be readily moved, all movable fire hazards in the vicinity shall be taken to a safe place.

Guards If objects to be welded or cut cannot be moved or if all the fire hazards cannot be removed, then guards shall be used to confine the heat, sparks, and slag.

If the object to be welded or cut cannot be moved and if all the fire hazards cannot be removed, then welding and cutting will not be performed.

Combustible material Wherever there are floor openings or cracks in the flooring that cannot be closed, precautions shall be taken so that no readily combustible materials on the floor below will be exposed to sparks, same for walls, open doorways, open or broken windows.

Fire extinguishers Suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be maintained in a state of readiness for instant use.

FIRE WATCH:

Fire watchers shall be required whenever welding or cutting is performed in locations where other than a minor fire might develop or:

(1) Appreciable combustible material is closer than 35 feet

(2) Appreciable combustibles are more than 35 feet away but are easily ignited by sparks

(3) Wall or floor openings within 35 feet radius expose combustible material in adjacent areas including concealed spaces in walls or floors

(4) Combustible materials are adjacent to opposite side of metal partitions, walls, ceilings, or roofs and are likely to be ignited by conductions or radiation

Fire watchers shall have fire extinguishing equipment readily available and be trained in its use. They shall be familiar for sounding alarm. Fire watch shall be maintained for at least a half hour after completion of welding or cutting.

If the object to be welded or cut cannot be moved and if all the fire hazards cannot be removed, then

PROHIBITED AREAS:

(A) In areas not authorized by management

(B) In sprinklered buildings while such protection is impaired

(D) In areas near storage of large quantities of exposed, readily ignitable materials.

PROCEDURE:

All welding and burning equipment shall be inspected prior to beginning any welding or burning. The Field Supervisor, in charge of the job, will be responsible for inspecting all welding and burning equipment and job site inspection prior to authorizing any welding or cutting.

Welding leads shall be completely insulated and in good condition.

Oxygen and acetylene bottles shall be secured in a safe place and hoses shall be leakfree and equipped with proper fittings, gauges, and regulators. A check valve shall be installed in both the oxygen and acetylene lines to ensure that the gases do not back up into either regulator. Always purge hoses and torches when a cylinder is connected.

Hoses should not be hung or piled close to the cylinders when in use. This could hinder closing cylinder valves in case of fire. A torch lighter shall never be carried into an area containing combustible gas.

Arc welding machines shall be located in places free of combustible vapors.

Grounding of arc welding machines shall be made as close as possible to the point of operation.

Cutting torches and welding equipment shall be used on the job only by personnel designated by the company supervisor, and by only qualified employees.

Shields worn by the welder shall incorporate hard hat protection.

Persons in the vicinity of welding should never look directly or indirectly at the welding arc without protective goggles.

It is prohibited to cut or weld on steel drums that at one time contained flammable liquids or gases.

A maximum amount of welding shall be performed on all new structures or equipment before it is moved to the field in order to keep the amount of welding and burning in the field to a minimum. Prior to issuance of a permit, vessels and tanks to be welded shall be washed out and vented until explosimeter readings indicate the atmosphere is safe.

Test the atmosphere before and during the hot work at regular intervals.

If work is interrupted, test the atmosphere before any work is resumed.

The "HOT WORK PERMIT" shall be posted at the worksite in plain view.

OXYFUEL GAS WELDING

Cylinders will be secured with wire or chain at all times. Never lay cylinders down when welding. Banks of combustible gas will be separated from oxygen by 20 feet or with a noncombustible barricade at least 5 feet high having a fireresistance rating of least onehalf hour. Compressed gas cylinders will be legibly marked. Empty cylinders will have their valves closed. Acetylene cylinders shall be stored valve end up, and when not in use the valve will be closed. Valve protection caps will not be used for lifting cylinders. When moving any gas cylinder the valve will be closed and the valve cap protector will be in place. Do not drop or bump cylinders. Do not use cylinders as rollers or support, whether full or empty.

Welders working for SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRICAL CO., INC.will be qualified to operate the equipment and will be tested prior to doing any job. The field supervisor will be trained on the oxygen or fuelgas supply equipment. This training will include the normal operations, emergency shutdown, and routine maintenance.

a. Oxygen and fuel gas hoses shall be protected from flying sparks and hot slag. They shall be examined frequently for leaks, wear, and loose connection. Immediate action shall be taken to replace damaged or worn hoses and to correct unsafe conditions.

b. The hose on oxy fuel welding units shall be racked when not in use. Master valves on oxygen and fuel gas cylinders shall be closed and the pressure bled from regulators and hoses after use.

c. Torches shall be examined frequently for leaky valves and damaged nozzles and or tips.

d. The cylinder valve shall be closed immediately if a hose catches on fire.

e. Spark igniters shall be used to light welding torches. Matches and cigarette lighters shall not be used for this purpose.

f. Flashback arrestors shall be provided to prevent the flame from passing down the hose into the fuel gas system.

g. Cylinder valves must be shut off when not is use.

h. Welders will post warning signs to mark hot metal prior to leaving the job site.

i. When gas welding in a confined space the cylinders will be shut off during breaks, lunch and any other idle period. The hoses will be removed from the confined space during the same time period.

ARC WELDING

Welders working for SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRICAL CO., INC. will be qualified to operate the equipment and tested prior to any welding. This requirement includes the welder to be familiar with OSHA 1910.252(a)(b)&(c) and 1910.254.If gas shielded arc welding is done they must be familiar with the American Welding Society Standard A61 1966. A copy of this standard is in office.

Maintenance: When there is a defect on the machine or any safety relate problem do not operate the equipment report this to the field supervisor. Repairs will be made only by a qualified person. If a machine becomes wet it must be thoroughly dried and tested before you use it.

a. Welders using arc welding equipment shall provide a protective screen around the arc when practicable and shall advise persons in the surrounding area not to look at the arc without appropriate eye protection.

b. Suitable precautions shall be taken to avoid shock from arc welding equipment. Employees shall not stand in water while are welding. Proper protective equipment, such as rubber boots or rubber pads shall be used when it is necessary to arc weld in wet or high humidity condition. Energized (hot) electrode holder shall not be dipped in water.

c. Cables with damaged insulation or exposed conductors shall not be used. If it is necessary to repair damaged cable, the repaired section shall have an insulating quality equal to that of the original cable. Splices shall never be made within 10 feet of the electrode holder.

d. Cables shall be protected from vehicle traffic or other hazards that may subject them to being cut or pinched.

e. Arc welding equipment shall be turned off when not in use.

f. Before starting operations all connections must be checked for proper connections. The work lead must be firmly attached to the work. Coiled welding cable shall be spread out before use to avoid overheating and damage to insulation.

g. Grounding of the welding machine frame must be checked. Make sure ground on portable machines.

h. Check for leaks on cooling and fuel systems.

i. Check the shutdown switch before each operation.

j. Always follow the manufacturers' operations instruction.

k. Place the electrode holders where they will not come in contact with anyone or conducting objects, fuel or compressed gas tanks when not in use.

l. DO NOT use cable with a splice within 10 feet of the electrode.

Do not coil or loop electrode cable around any part of your body.

m. Cables with damaged insulation or bare wire showing must be repaired before use. Cable lengths can be connected with the proper connecting devices and they must be insulated. Remember not splice within 10 feet of the electrode holder.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

a. Welding operation shall be conducted according to the requirements of the facility's procedures.

b. Welding shall be performed by welders who are qualified in the type of welding they are to perform.

c. Welders and welder's helper shall use the proper protective clothing and eye protection as required.