ARGON AND CO 2 LINES USED IN SHIPYARD WELDING

Date 05-01-2007 17:00

I work for the US NAVY[CIVIL SERVICE QA] in NAVY shipbuilding at INGALLS SHIPYARD IN PASCAGOULA,MS.We have a requirement
to pressure test oxygen/acetylene lines every 45 days.However there is no requirement to pressure test the argon and CO2 lines
that can kill you in a confined space.OSHA has no requirement and the NAVY SHIPYARDS do not have a requirement either.
This not make any sense to me seeing how lethal argon and CO 2 can be.How about some input from veteran ship builders out there
or other folks?

DON KUMPUNEN US NAVY SUP SHIP GULF COAST QA SPECIALIST

By hogan

Date 05-01-2007 17:44

i don't have a copy , but i thought osha 1910 addressed this.

By DKUMPUNEN (*)

Date 05-02-2007 22:54

NO OSHA rules do not address argon and co 2 lines.Recently at INGALLS in a tank a pipe welder had an
argon purge while he was welding.Apparently the argon supply line to the pipe was not sealed tight and the
oxygen level dropped in the tank.Some one in the tank for some reason called safety and requested a
check on the atmosphere in the tank and it was down to the danger level.
This is the second tank incident in 2 months.I was in a tank and felt lite headed.Welders were using flux
core with co 2 shielding gas and we were checking a pipe test.I could actually smell whatever it was and i
know you cant smell co 2 or argon.NGSS put air into the tank which of course brought the oxygen level up
so when they tested it was safe.

DON KUMPUNEN US NAVY SUP SHIP GULF COAST