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Workshop safety, 8

13th February 1982
Page 39
Page 39, 13th February 1982 — Workshop safety, 8
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THIS SERIES of articles on workshop safety would not be :omplete if the safety )recautions necessary when welding is carried out were not :onsidered.

Most workshops are equipped with oxy-acetylene welding ?quipment and nasty accidents )ccur from time to time because :he proper procedures for the storage and use of this ?.quipment are not followed.

Acetylene is a highly lammable fuel gas used with )xygen for welding and cutting. t is slightly lighter than air and if t escapes it diffuses into the ;urrounding atmosphere brming a flammable mixture.

Acetylene cylinders are )ainted maroon and the egulators and hoses fitted to hem are of the same colour.

They are packed with a porous Ming to which liquid acetone is idded. Acetylene gas is then fed inder pressure into the

cylinders and is dissolved by the acetone which releases the gas when pressure in the cylinder is lowered.

Acetylene cylinders must be always be stored, used and carried in an upright position. If they are laid flat the liquid they contain may leak.

The valves and regulators fitted to the cylinders are intended to control the production and flow of gas, but if liquid is allowed to flow or escape the subsequent production of gas will be uncontrolled.

Oxygen is stored in cylinders which are painted black. The hoses and regulators fitted to them are blue in colour. (Very old equipment may have black hoses). Although oxygen itself is not flammable, it enriches the air when it is released and makes fuel gases and other combustibles such as greases or oil burn more fiercely. Because of this property, in no circumstances must oil or grease be allowed to come into contact with the oxygen cylinder fittings.

Oxygen cylinders may be stored in an horizontal position provided they are securely wedged to prevent movement. Figure 1 illustrates a typical oxyacetylene welding outfit. When actually welding it is better if both acetylene and oxygen cylinders are kept vertical and firmly secured in a properly constructed trolley.

Rubber hose must be kept in good condition. Makeshift repairs, such as binding with tape, should not be made. Copper pipes should not be used to join acetylene hose as it produces copper acetylide, an explosive compound.

To ensure that regulators are fitted to the correct cylinder, for example to prevent an oxygen regulator being fitted to an acetylene cylinder, the oxygen regulator has a right-hand thread while the acetylene one has a left-hand one.

Leaks in connections should be traced with a soap and water solution and not with a flame. Leaks at the gland on a acetylene cylinder can usually be corrected by tightening the gland nut. If a leak occurs at the valve or the base plug and it cannot be remedied by closing the valve, then the cylinder must be moved outside the workshop and away from fires, electric motors and other such sources of sparks or heat. Smoking should be forbidden and the suppliers of the cylinder notified immediately.

If an acetylene cylinder becomes over-heated, either accidently or because of a flashback the valve must be closed immediately, the regulator or hose removed and the cylinder then taken into the open air. There it should be immersed in water or if this is not possible it must be continuously drenched with water. The valve should be opened fully to allow the gas to escape freely and the suppliers of the cylinder immediately notified.

When actually welding, coloured goggles of the recommended type must be worn. See Figure 2.

More about welding safety in the next article.

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Organisations: US Federal Reserve

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