be provided, organic respirators are required for
--Personnel who use potential irritants, such as
protection against vapors.
epoxy, resins, and hardeners, should avoid direct skin
contact. Should contact be made with an irritant, the
--Always wash exposed skin areas thoroughly
area should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
when you are finished working.
Irritants require no special storage other than that
required by their other properties, such as flammability
WELDING HAZARDS
or toxicity.
AND PRECAUTIONS
--All hazardous materials used by the Navy is
As an HT, one of your main jobs will be welding.
required to be correctly labeled.
You must use extreme care when welding. Safety must
always be practiced by people working around or with
--In compliance with the Occupational Safety and
arc welding equipment. Welding performed with proper
Health Administration (OSHA). a fire resistant
safety equipment presents no great safety hazards. You
hydraulic fluid must be used when filling the reservoir
should learn the correct procedures for arc welding in
of a hydraulic power rig.
order that the hazards that exist may be properly
observed and eliminated, and, if possible, injury
--Dispose of solvent-soaked rags in a container
avoided.
designed for flammable disposal. Wear rubber
protective gloves when handling solvents and be sure
The chief hazards to be avoided in arc welding are
that ventilation is adequate.
as follows:
--Do not allow eating, drinking, or smoking in the
area where solvents are being used. Any chemicals or
solvents should be handled with caution.
Flying sparks and globules of molten metal
--Cutting and grinding of reinforced plastic
laminates generate a fine dust that irritates the skin and
Electric shock
eyes. Inhalation of the dust should be avoided.
Metal fumes
--Keep chemical containers clearly labeled and
tightly covered when they are not in use. When mixing
Burns
a polyester resin, never mix the catalyst and accelerator
directly together or an explosion may result. Always
Radiation from the arc presents some dangers. Eyes
mix chemicals according to instructions.
must be protected from radiation from the arc by use of
an arc welding helmet or face shield with approved
--Many solvents give off toxic vapors and are
lenses.
dangerous upon contact with the skin. Wear respirators
and rubber gloves, as appropriate, when handling
Your face, hands, arms, and other skin surfaces
solvents and ensure that the working area is well
must be covered to prevent exposure to the radiation.
ventilated.
Gloves should be worn and other parts of the body
covered by clothing of sufficient weight to shut out the
--Do not use solvents and degreasers of the
rays of the arc. Without proper clothing, burns
halogen family (for example, freon and trichloroethane)
comparable to sunburn will result.
near the cutting operation, because light from the arc
can break them down into toxic components (phosgene
When possible, all arc welding operations should be
shielded so that no one may accidentally look directly
gas).
at the arc or have it shine or reflect into their eyes. An
--If clothing becomes contaminated, remove it and
arc "flash" may cause a person to be temporarily
wash it thoroughly before reuse.
blinded, by causing the person to see a white spot
similar to a photographer's flash. The severity of an arc
--When working in confined spaces, be sure there
flash and the time it will take to recover varies with the
is adequate ventilation. Where such ventilation cannot
length of time a person was exposed to the arc. A long
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