Welding & Cutting

1. When transporting, moving, and storing compressed gas cylinders, the following procedures will be followed by CHASSE Building Team and subcontractors.

   • Valve protection caps will be in place and secured.

   • When cylinders are hoisted, they will be secured on a cradle, slingboard, or pallet. They will not be hoisted or transported by means of magnets or choker slings.

   • Cylinders will be moved by tilting and rolling them on their bottom edges. They will not be intentionally dropped, struck, or permitted to strike each other violently.

   • When cylinders are transported by powered vehicles, they will be secured in a vertical position.

   • Valve protection caps will not be used for lifting cylinders from one vertical position to another. Bars will not be used under valves or valve protection caps to pry cylinders loose when frozen. Warm, not boiling, water will be used to thaw cylinders loose.

   • Unless cylinders are firmly secured on a special carrier intended for this purpose, regulators will be removed and valve protection caps put in place before cylinders are moved.

   • A suitable cylinder truck, chain, or other steadying device will be used to keep cylinders from being knocked over while in use.

   • When work is finished, when cylinders are empty, or when cylinders are moved at any time, the cylinder valve will be closed.

   • Compressed gas cylinders will be secured in an upright position at all times except, if necessary, for short periods of time while cylinders are actually being hoisted or carried.

   • Oxygen cylinders in storage will be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour.

   • Inside of buildings, cylinders will be stored in a well-protected, well-ventilated, dry location, at least 20 feet from highly combustible materials such as oil or excelsior. Cylinders should be stored in definitely assigned places away from elevators, stairs, or gangways. Assigned storage places will be located where cylinders will not be knocked over or damaged by passing or falling objects, or subject to tampering by unauthorized persons. Cylinders will not be kept in unventilated enclosures such as lockers and cupboards.

   • The handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, or motor vehicle cargo tanks will be in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965.

1. The placement of cylinders will comply with the following:

   • Cylinders will be kept far enough away from the actual welding or cutting operation so that sparks, hot slag, or flame will not reach them. When this is impractical, fire resistant shields will be provided.

   • Cylinders will be placed where they cannot become part of an electrical circuit. Electrodes will not be struck against a cylinder to strike an arc.

   • Fuel gas cylinders will be placed with valve end up whenever they are in use. They will not be placed in a location where they would be subject to open flame, hot metal, or other sources of artificial heat.

   • Cylinders containing oxygen or acetylene or other fuel gas will not be taken into confined spaces.

1. The treatment of cylinders will comply with the following:

   • Cylinders, whether full or empty, shall not be used as rollers or supports.

   • No person other than the gas supplier will attempt to mix gases in a cylinder. No one except the owner of the cylinder or person authorized by him, will refill a cylinder. No one will use a cylinder’s contents for purposes other than those intended by the supplier.

   • No damaged or defective cylinder will be used.

CHASSE Building Team trade partners will thoroughly instruct employees in the safe use of fuel gas.

1. For the elimination of possible fire in enclosed spaces as a result of gas escaping through leaking or improperly closed torch valves, the gas supply to the torch will be positively shut off at some point outside the enclosed space whenever the torch is not to be used or whenever the torch is left unattended for a substantial period of time, such as during the lunch period. Overnight and at the change of shifts, the torch and hose will be removed from the confined space.

2. Open end fuel gas and oxygen hoses shall be immediately removed from enclosed spaces when they are disconnected from the torch or other gas-consuming device.

3. Except when the contents are being removed or transferred, drums, pails, and other containers which contain or have contained flammable liquids shall be kept closed. Empty containers shall be removed to a safe area apart from hot work operations or open flames.

4. Drums containers, or hollow structures which have contained toxic or flammable substances will, before welding, cutting, or heating is undertaken on them, either be filled with water or thoroughly cleaned of such substances and ventilated and tested. For welding, cutting and heating on steel pipelines containing natural gas, the pertinent portions of regulations issued by the Department of Transportation, Office of Pipeline Safety, 49 CFR Part 192, Minimum Federal Safety Standards for Gas Pipelines, will apply.

5. Before heat is applied to a drum, container, or hollow structure, a vent or opening will be provided for the release of any built-up pressure during the application of heat.

1. Only cables free from repair or splices for a minimum distance of 10 feet from the cable end to which the electrode holder is connected will be used, except that cables with standard insulated connectors or with splices whose insulating quality is equal to that of the cable are permitted.

2. When practical, objects to be welded, cut, or heated will be moved to a designated safe location or, if the objects to be welded, cut, or heated cannot be readily moved, all movable fire hazards in the vicinity will be taken to a safe place, or otherwise protected.

3. If the object to be welded, cut, or heated cannot be moved and if all the fire hazards cannot be removed, positive means will be taken to confine the heat, sparks, and slag, and to protect the immovable fire hazards from them.

4. No welding, cutting, or heating shall be done where the application of flammable paints, or the presence of other flammable compounds, or heavy dust concentrations creates a hazard.

5. Suitable fire extinguishing equipment will be immediately available in the work area and will be maintained in a state of readiness for instant use.

6. When the welding, cutting, or heating operation is such that normal fire prevention precautions are not sufficient, additional personnel will be assigned to guard against fire while the actual welding, cutting, or heating operation is being performed, and for a sufficient period of time after completion of the work to ensure that no possibility of fire exists. Such personnel will be instructed as to the specific anticipated fire hazards and how the firefighting equipment provided is to be used.

7. When welding, cutting, or heating is performed on walls, floors, and ceilings, since direct penetration of sparks or heat transfer may introduce a fire hazard to an adjacent area, the same precautions will be taken on the opposite side as are taken on the side on which the welding is being performed.