UPGRADE SULFUR HANDLING AND EXPORT

@ BERRI GAS PLANT

BI-10-00688
Contract AF No.6600036163
M.R. Al-Khathlan Co.
FOR CONTRACTING

TOPIC: - Hot Work (Welding & Cutting) Date : 02 June 2018

Welding and cutting can create extremely dangerous conditions, both for those performing the work and
for those who must work nearby.
To prevent accidents and illnesses, we strongly suggest that you comply with all welding and cutting
regulations that may apply in your area.
To protect your health, you must understand the hazards to which you are exposed. The appropriate
material safety data sheets on the materials being used, such as welding rods, fuel gases, paint coatings,
etc. will alert you to these potential hazards and prescribe the proper protective equipment. Airborne
contamination can often be reduced to safe levels through increased ventilation.

Don’t destroy your eyesight – insist on wearing eye protection with the appropriate lens filter shade
that corresponds to the type of work being performed, sunglasses ARE NOT acceptable protection.

Both welding and cutting create sparks, and with eye protection in place you may fail to notice a fire below
or near you. This is why it’s important to remove all flammable and combustible liquids or solids such as
paper, cardboard, rags, weeds, lumber, etc. before work begins. Whenever required, fire watch personnel
should be on duty during the work period and for a reasonable period after work is completed.

DANGER – oils, grease, coal dust and other organic materials can ignite instantly when exposed to pure
oxygen. Never use oxygen as a substitute for compressed air. Never use defective equipment or leaking
cylinders, always store and use cylinders in an upright position. Never stand in front of a regulator while
opening a cylinder valve.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
All hot work is potentially dangerous and can result in devastating injuries; those most at risk are those directly
involved In the activity who can sustain eye and skin damage, as well as injuries from inhaling fumes, electrocution
and burns. Bystanders can also sustain significant injury if they are not wearing adequate protection or if suitable
protective screens are not in place. Explosion and fire are potential hazards that affect you, other employees and
our clients.
GUIDANCE
Things to consider: -Ventilation – ensure good ventilation to prevent the build-up and dangerous fumes Gas
Cylinders – take particular care of gas cylinders. Have flash back arresters fitted. Always check for leaks especially at
start up or cylinder change over. Do not strike an arc off gas cylinders. Ensure good earth return for electric arc
welding. ALWAYS check and area where hot works have been taking place ½ hour after the work has finished
ensuring there is no smoldering material that could potentially reignite causing a fire.
Common Hazards Air Contaminants- Hot work produces air contaminants. The most common
contaminants include metal fumes and gases. Hazardous fumes may be produced from heating toxic metals found in
common alloys. The fume particles created are small and can deposit deep in the lungs causing adverse health
effects that can range from systemic poisoning to respiratory tract irritations. Setting up an appropriate work
environment and using the appropriate goggles, face shields, and/or respirators will protect you from contaminants.
Radiation- Both visible ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation are produced when welding and cutting. These
types of radiation can cause skin damage (sunburn and cancer) and eye damage (welder’s flash, cataracts, and
burns). You may not be aware of these injuries until after they occur since UV and IR radiation is NOT detectable by
the senses. Appropriate clothing and filter lenses will protect you from radiation damage.

Burns and Fires- Hot work can be a fire hazard. Burns, fires, or explosions can result from flames, arcs, molten
metal’s, heated surfaces, or metal splatters. Sparks from welding operations have been known to travel as far as 35
feet horizontally from the welding sight. Be aware of fire hazards when welding and remember that you can cause
fires or be burned when working. Unplug and place soldering irons or guns in holders or stands when not in use.
Always assume that a soldering iron or gun is hot. Give equipment time to cool down before touching tongs and tips.

Electrical Shocks- Every year welders die from electric shock. Electric shocks can occur when proper
precautions are not taken. Equipment must meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) code and be checked and serviced
regularly. Servicing and installation must only be undertaken by a qualified licensed electrician.

The proper use of welding and cutting equipment will minimize injuries. Always -follow the manufacturer’s
recommendations for setting up and operating equipment, selection of tip size, and gas cylinder operating
pressures.

Always -use a regulator to reduce gas cylinder pressure to the operating pressures recommended by the equipment
manufacturer. All piping and equipment must meet the standards of the Compressed Gas Association.

Always- ensure that all connections are leak tight. Each time connections are loosened and retightened, each
connection should be checked with a soap and water solution (oil free soap). Do not check with flame.

Always- work in line with the training you have undergone and protect others from the hot slag, spark an UV light
resulting from the welding and cutting operations.

Never -perform welding, cutting, brazing, or heating operations in a poorly ventilated area. Avoid breathing fumes
from these operations at all times; particularly when zinc, cadmium, or lead coated metals are involved.

Always- have an appropriate fire extinguisher in good operating condition readily available when operating welding
or cutting equipment.

Never- perform welding or cutting operations near combustible materials (gasoline cans, paints, paper, rags, etc.).
Never- tamper with the safety devices on cylinders, fuse plugs, safety discs, etc., and do not permit torch flames or
sparks to strike the cylinder