Electrical Safety

In welding there are many sources of electrical hazard over and above those encountered in everyday life. These include the welding power plant, auxiliary welding equipment such as cables, wire feed units, welding torches and electrode holders plus other associated tools and equipment such as grinders and electrode ovens etc.

Serious injury can also result from contact with the welding circuit, and shocks from this source are probably the most frequently experienced by welders.

If the welder is hot and perspiring, or if he or she is working in wet, damp, hot, humid or cramped conditions, the skin and clothing may become wet.

The passage of an electric current through the body can cause severe injury and even death. The severity of the injury will depend on several factors including the actual current and voltage, the duration of current flow and how healthy the victim is.

Welding equipment should be installed in accordance with international, national, or local standards and the manufacturer's instructions and tested to ensure it is correctly wired in, properly 'earthed', and safe to use.

Control of electrical hazards and prevention of electrical accidents should be paramount at all stages of a welding operation, from initial installation of the equipment, to its use and subsequent maintenance.

Regulations, many industry codes of practice and safety guidance documents have been issued over the years regarding the safe use of electrical equipment and protective clothing to be worn when welding.

Only qualified personnel should install welding power sources. At this stage they should ensure that the mains supply isolator switch is correctly installed, has adequate power rating for the equipment and the socket plug connector is correctly wired.

All inspections should be recorded, including an accurate record of findings.

Before commencement of welding the welder should ascertain that all electrical connections are clean, tightly fixed and properly protected.

Welders should also check that welding leads, work return leads and earth leads are capable of carrying the maximum operating current without overheating and are in good condition with no disruptions in the insulation and no exposed metal connectors.

It is advisable that welders should not wear rings, bracelets, chains or metal watchstraps when welding as these items are good conductors of electricity and may result in serious burn injuries.

There should be an easily accessible means of switching off the welding power source at the mains at the end of each work period or in the event of an emergency.

LVSD (low voltage safety devices) should be used whenever possible when MMA welding. These devices ensure that only low voltage is present at the electrode holder when no welding is taking place.

Whatever the cause of the shock, never touch the casualty with bare hands until the casualty is no longer in contact with the electrical source or there is a risk of getting an electric shock yourself.

If someone has had an electric shock and is still in contact with the source, do not touch the casualty until contact with the source has been broken.

In all cases of electric shock, the casualty should be taken to hospital for treatment or assessed by a doctor.