FIRST AID
presents a fire hazard if an open flame is used. Be sure
You must always observe safety precautions when
all flammable material is removed or kept away from
working on equipment or operating machinery. Because
of the danger of electric shock from equipment and
operating machinery, the possibility of receiving burns
--Make sure there are no flammable vapors present,
from welding, and the possibility of a body part being
such as gasoline, acetylene, or other flammable gases,
cut when performing cutting operations, it is important
where the hot work is to be performed.
that you know and be able to perform the proper action
when a mishap occurs. The following paragraphs will
--No job should ever be started until all safety
briefly describe some of first-aid techniques that you
precautions have been taken, and the fire marshal
should be familiar with.
notified, if applicable.
RESUSCITATION
CUTTING HAZARDS AND
Methods of resuscitating or reviving an electrical
PRECAUTIONS
shock victim include artificial ventilation (to reestablish
breathing) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (to
Another part of your job will involve cutting
reestablish heartbeat and blood circulation).
operations such as oxyacetylene cutting and plasma arc
cutting. Observe the following safety precautions when
Artificial Ventilation
performing any cutting operation:
A person who has stopped breathing is not
--Never place hands or fingers between the metal
necessarily dead, but is in immediate critical danger.
plate and the bed. Never place hands under the
Life depends on oxygen that is breathed into the lungs
holddowns or knife. Ensure that all personnel are clear
and then carried by the blood to every body cell. Since
from the piece being cut.
body cells cannot store oxygen, and since the blood can
hold only a limited amount (and only for a short time),
--Ensure that the plate is supported so that injuries
death will surely result from continued lack of
to personnel can be avoided if the cut end of the metal
breathing.
falls away.
The heart may continue to beat and the blood may
--When using oxyacetylene cutting equipment,
still be circulated to the body cells for some time after
ensure that the work area is gas-free. This is particularly
breathing has stopped. Since the blood will, for a short
important when working in bilges and other spaces
time, contain a small supply of oxygen, the body cells
where dangerous vapors may collect.
will not die immediately. Thus, for a very few minutes,
there is some chance that the person's life may be
--The high-pressure oxygen stream used in cutting
saved. A person who has stopped breathing but who is
with an oxyacetylene torch can throw molten metal for
still alive is said to be in a state of respiratory failure.
a distance of 50 to 60 feet. Always post a fire watch to
The first-aid treatment for respiratory failure is called
protect the surrounding areas and personnel.
artificial ventilation/respiration.
--When using oxyacetylene cutting equipment,
The purpose of artificial ventilation is to provide a
ensure that any interfering system has been removed
method of air exchange until natural breathing is
and tagged out, if necessary.
reestablished. Artificial ventilation should be given only
when natural breathing has stopped; it must NOT be
--Install all covers, insulators, and handles before
given to any person who is still breathing. Do not
attempting to operate the plasma arc cutting equipment.
assume that breathing has stopped merely because a
person is unconscious or because a person has been
--When using plasma arc cutting equipment, open
rescued from an electrical shock Remember, DO NOT
all primary disconnect switches before charging any
GIVE ARTIFICIAL VENTILATION TO A PERSON
electrical connections.
WHO IS BREATHING NATURALLY. There are two
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