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The Marvellous World of Manufacturing

Not many people give much thought to the fact that almost every object you touch as you go about your day had to be manufactured by someone. When you stop to consider the impact that the processing and manufacturing industry has had on the modern world, it can blow your mind. My mind was blown when my son arrived home from his new job at a local processing and manufacturing plant and told me about the industry he was now working in. Since then, I have learnt all kinds of cool things which I would love to be able to share with the rest of the world.

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The Marvellous World of Manufacturing

Safety During Welding

by Anthony Harvey

Welding is the process of joining two metals through the use of extreme heat. Once the metals are hot, a filler material that may be stronger than the base metal is added to form a joint. As such, the two metals are firmly bound together. In the industrial spectrum, welding is an essential process as it helps in the fabrication of certain goods and conducting regular maintenance works in the premises. When done incorrectly, welding could expose the welder and other staff to various kinds of risks. As such, it is imperative to observe safety when conducting welding works. Below are a few ways to address the risks associated with welding.

Electrocution. 

One of the immediate concerns of any welder is how to avoid electrocution. Below are a few precautions the welders should observe: 

  1. Ensure that all cables are in good condition. Do not use frayed or damaged wires.
  2. Lay out the wires in such a way that they do not come into contact with human or vehicle traffic.
  3. Always have personal protective clothing such as gloves and boots during welding. If the works are conducted in humid conditions, the welder should have rubber gloves.
  4. The welding transformer should be close enough to ensure a quick response in case of an emergency.  

Exposure to welding fumes and gases. 

As the metals melt, they produce fumes that are dangerous to human health. Below are some ways to minimise exposure to welding fumes:

  1. Welding should take place in a well-ventilated environment.
  2. The welder must have protective equipment such as a mask.
  3. Do not weld on surfaces that have wet degreasing agents.
  4. Avoid the use of degreasers with chlorinated hydrocarbon. 

Body injuries. 

Welding produces arc rays and spatter that could damage the human skin and eyes. As such, you must ensure that your eyes and skin are protected during welding. Use a helmet or handheld shield to protect your eyes from arc rays. Roll down your sleeves as you weld. A slight burn from a spark could cause commotion that might lead to falls or electrocution.

Fire. 

Sparks from the welding process could cause a fire in the welding area. Before commencing the welding works, inspect the surrounding area. Remove or cover any combustible materials. These may include solids such as paper or wood, liquids such as gasoline and paint or flammable gases. Preferably, there should be a working fire extinguisher in the vicinity to put out welding fires.

The main risks associated with welding are electrocution, exposure to toxic gases, body injuries and fire. 

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