Are there any safety (OSHA or otherwise) guidelines for how to handle combustibles in the weld area. I'm specifically interested in containers (e.g. plastic, wood, paper) where parts are stored in a weld cell for use in the welded assembly. Are there any rules on what specific distanece combustibles of this type must be away from the actual arc area.
yes there are...generally, keep combustibles 50 ft away from the welding area in one of those fire lockers. there are tons of other rules, but i've forgotten the details. i'm sure somebody here knows what book to find the rules in.
• Part Number: 1910
• Part Title: Occupational Safety and Health Standards
• Subpart: Q
• Subpart Title: Welding, Cutting, and Brazing
• Standard Number: 1910.252
• Title: General requirements.
Go to osha.gov and check it out. Big Brother has rules for everthing.
Also 29CFR1926.350 through 1926.354 (subpart J ) in the OSHA Construction Industry Regulations.
General OSHA Regulations Industry Link
http://osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10133&p_text_version=FALSE
Construction Industry Regulations Link
http://osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10914&p_text_version=FALSE
Also there is ANSI Z49. 1 Safety in Welding and Cutting (which is incorporated by reference into OSHA)
National Fire Protection Associations NFPA 51B - Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work.
http://www.nfpa.org/Codes/nfpa_codes_and_standards/list_of_nfpa_documents/nfpa_51b.asp
Link to preprint - http://www.nfpa.org/PDF/51B-03-preprint.pdf
It is always good to remember the "General Duty Clause" for the non-specific items.
Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, also known as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to furnish a workplace which is free from recognized hazards which may cause or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
All good advise...
John Wright
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