On every work site, there are multiple factors laborers and managers need to actively address to ensure everyone’s safety. Industrial work creates hazardous situations involving powerful tools, extreme temperatures, tall heights, toxic materials, and more. All these issues have safety precautions and operational guidelines put in place to prevent worker fatigue, injury, or fatality. Compared to some other manufacturing operations, stud welding can be a very safe production process. However, without the appropriate accident prevention measures or an understanding of the equipment, it can become dangerous, and in some cases, even deadly. Working with high-quality equipment on construction welding projects paired with adhering to safety systems will help you and your team avoid welding-related harm. At Northland Fastening Systems (NFS), we provide a comprehensive range of quality supplies, including tools for rent and purchase, drawn arc, capacitor discharge (CD), and short cycle welding studs, welding accessories, tool repair services, and the expertise of our own technicians.
Construction Welding
Like any type of fabrication process, construction welding has a basic checklist for maintaining safe working conditions. These standards include the use of certain precautions and attention to areas of concern including:
Grounding for Construction Welding
Welding machines of all types, not just construction stud welding, require proper grounding for electrical current to be safe. Stud welders must be in contact with the earth through a unit grounder or by the use of a grounding clamp when performing thru-deck welding.
Live wires
Welding technicians and nearby workers should never interact with live wires without proper protective gear. Welding should also never be performed with pooling water in the area. Live electrical parts and live wires that need attention should be handled with the correct safety gear.
Cables Used in Construction Welding
Especially on work sites where technicians are moving welding units over long distances, cable management is a major safety concern. Cables should not be used if damaged or stretched, placed in areas where they will be exposed to trucks and other heavy traffic, or hung to hold their full weight at a single point.
Spatter in Construction Welding
While stud welding has minimal spatter when done correctly, some occasions might result in wider spatter if a tool has an inaccurate calibration. Technicians should be aware of increases in spatter and adjust to prevent them from affecting safety.
Flammables
Gas cylinders pose explosion and fire risks, and the heat and sparks that occur during a weld could pose additional fire hazards to other nearby flammable materials. Solvents, fiberglass, paper, and other highly flammable materials should be removed from the welding work area.
Ventilation
Workers’ safety is compromised by fumes generated in the welding process if workers do not have proper ventilation. Welding outdoors offers enough ventilation in most cases, but indoor work must have supplemental ventilation, especially when welding through paint and other surface coatings.
Summary
If these basic safety guidelines are followed at every construction welding site, workers are protected and quality results can continue on your job site. For more information about supplies and services, contact NFS at (651) 730-7770 or request a quote online today.