Welding, Cutting and Brazing
Welding is the process of joining metals in which coalescence is produced by heating to suitable temperatures with or without the use of a filler metal. Welding processes can be classed as pressure, nonpressure, or brazing. In nonpressure welding techniques, metal is vaporized and condenses to form a fume.
Brazing is a technique for joining metals that are heated above 800 degrees F.
"Hot work" is defined as work involving electric or gas welding, cutting, brazing, or similar flame or spark-producing operations.
Welding, Cutting and Brazing
What are the hazards associated with welding and cutting?
The major health hazards related to welding and cutting are a consequence of the inhalation of metal fumes generated during welding and cutting. The type and severity of the health effects that result from inhalation of metal fumes depends on the specific metals involved, the concentration of the metal fumes in the air, the frequency of exposure, and the length of exposure.
Other health hazards associated with welding and cutting result from exposure to the ultraviolet radiation that is emitted during the welding process. Lack of appropriate skin and eye protection can result in reddening of the skin and photokeratitis (also known as "flash burn" or "welders eye").
Regarding physical hazards, welding, cutting and brazing operations can pose a significant ignition source for flammable vapors. Therefore, hot work must never be conducted in a flammable atmosphere or in close proximity to flammable liquids, or on metal containers that have been used to contain flammable and combustible liquids unless the container has been thoroughly emptied, cleaned, and purged with an inert gas, such as nitrogen, to remove residual flammable vapors.
What can I do to protect myself?
Ventilation is the most effective means of controlling inhalation exposures to welding fumes. Where possible, local exhaust ventilation should be located at the parts being welded to exhaust metal fumes away from the welder as they are generated.
Eye protection of an appropriate shade should always be worn when welding is conducted. In addition, wear leather or thick fabric gloves when welding or cutting to protect against burns and cover arms and legs for protection against reddening of the skin by emitted ultraviolet radiation.
What resources are available to assist employers?
Safety and Health Programs
A personal protective equipment hazard assessment can assist the employer in identifying the appropriate personal protective equipment required to protect the employee from hazards associated with welding, cutting and brazing. Also, this example program for confined space entry (general industry and construction) and respiratory protection may be useful. Other example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions.
Training and Outreach Services
Presentations on welding and cutting (general industry and construction), respiratory protection, and personal protective equipment (general industry and construction) and can be used to assist employers in training their staff. Other example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time.
In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request.
Lastly, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video services) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).
Safety and Health Topics
Other resource information pertaining to personal protective equipment, respiratory protection, competent person, portable fire extinguishers, fire protection and prevention and confined spaces be found on the safety and health topics page.
Consultation Services
The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.
What standards apply?
OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to welding, cutting and brazing in North Carolina. This is not all inclusive.
Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic.
General Industry
- 29 CFR 1910.251 - definitions
- 29 CFR 1910.252 - general requirements
- 29 CFR 1910.253 - oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting
- 29 CFR 1910.254 - arc welding and cutting
- 29 CFR 1910.255 - resistance welding
Maritime, Shipyard Employment
- 29 CFR 1915.51 - ventilation and protection in welding, cutting and heating
- 29 CFR 1915.53 - welding, cutting and heating in way of preservative coatings
- 29 CFR 1915.54 - welding, cutting and heating of hollow metal containers and structures not covered by 29 CFR 1915.12
- 29 CFR 1915.55 - gas welding and cutting
- 29 CFR 1915.56 - arc welding and cutting
- 29 CFR 1915.57 - use of fissionable material in ship repairing and shipbuilding
Maritime, Marine Terminals
- 29 CFR 1917.152 - welding, cutting and heating
Construction
- 29 CFR 1926.350 - gas welding and cutting
- 29 CFR 1926.351 - arc welding and cutting
- 29 CFR 1926.352 - fire prevention
- 29 CFR 1926.354 - welding, cutting, and heating in way of preservative coatings
Additional OSH standards associated with welding. cutting and brazing include:
General Industry
- 29 CFR 1910.132 - general requirements, personal protective equipment
- 29 CFR 1910.133 - eye and face protection
- 29 CFR 1910.134 - respiratory protection
- 29 CFR 1910.138 - hand and body protection
- 29 CFR 1910.119 - process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals
- 29 CFR 1910.146 - permit-required confined space
- 29 CFR 1910 Subpart Z - toxic and hazardous substances
Construction
- 29 CFR 1926.28 - general requirements, PPE
- 29 CFR 1926.55 - gases, vapors, fumes, dusts and mists
- 29 CFR 1926.64 - process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals
- 29 CFR 1926.102 - eye and face protection
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart Z - toxic and hazardous substances
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA - confined space in construction
Maritime, Shipyard Employment
- 29 CFR 1915.12 - precautions and the order of testing before entering confined and enclosed spaces and other dangerous atmospheres
- 29 CFR 1915.14 - hot work
- 29 CFR 1915.152 - PPE, general requirements
- 29 CFR 1915.153 - eye and face protection
- 29 CFR 1915.157 - hand and body protection
- 29 CFR 1915 Subpart Z - toxic and hazardous substances
Recordkeeping
- Refer to
Recording and Reporting
Other Applicable Standards
The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can also help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.
Where can I learn more?
Industry Guides
- Industry Guide 48 - OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, includes requirements special requirements for welding, cutting and many other construction industry standards.
- Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, includes special requirements for welding, cutting and many other general industry standards.
- Industry Guide 53 - OSHA Shipyard Employment Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training highlights the requirements of standards related to welding, cutting and other standards in shipyard employment.
- Industry Guide 54 - OSHA Marine Terminal Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training highlights the requirements of standards related to welding, cutting and other standards at marine terminals.
Compliance Documents
- STD 03-08-001 - Welding, Cutting or Heating of Metals Coated with Lead-Bearing Paint, provides clarification of the standards when welding, cutting or heating is performed in an enclosed space on metals coated with lead-bearing paint.
- STD 01-14-001 - Replacement Welding Tips, provides clarification of the replacement of welding tips.
- CFR 105 - Welding, Cutting and Brazing: Final Rule provides the promulgation of the rule.
Technical Assistance
- Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.