Welding Safety in AgricultureWelding Safety in Agriculture

OSHA Standard 1910.253OSHA Standard 1910.253

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“This material was produced under grant SH22228SH1 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of

Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or

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OSHA and AgricultureOSHA and Agriculture Not all farms fall under OSHA jurisdiction Who is exempt: Farms that only employ

immediate family members or farms with 10 or less employees (this exemption, however, does not apply if the operation has maintained a temporary labor camp within the last twelve months, OSHA directive CPL 02-00-51)

Additional state guidelines may apply

Welding Safety OverviewWelding Safety OverviewCFR 1926.351CFR 1926.351

PPE: noise, fume, and light protection Machine safety: cables, connections Setting the machine: polarity,

amps/volts Base metal identification Filler metal selection Electrical safety Safe welding practices

Personal Protective Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required Equipment (PPE) required

for Ag weldingfor Ag welding Cotton shirt/pants Tapping jacket, leathers, burn

protection Gloves CFR 1910.138 (b) Footwear CFR 1910.138 (b) Welding hat Safety glasses CFR 1910.133 Other things not to wear

PPE continuedPPE continued

Hearing protection CFR 1910.95 Fume protection CFR 1910.94 Have an A, B, C rated fire

extinguisher on hand Have a fire watch available

Pre-operational ag welding Pre-operational ag welding checkschecks

Welding cables “leads” Connections Ground clamp Electrode holder “stinger” Inert gas requirements, flow meter,

hoses GMAW, GTAW, and SMAW applications

Setting up the machineSetting up the machine

Polarity: AC, DCRP, or DCEN Process: SMAW, GTAW, or GMAW Read the owner’s manual Amperage adjustments: too hot/cold Adjusting inert gas flow/coverage Wire speed, pulse, HF options Portable welding considerations

Typical AC/DC machine Typical AC/DC machine found in ag repair shopsfound in ag repair shops

Stinger and ground clampStinger and ground clamp

End connectorsEnd connectors

Process specific equipmentProcess specific equipment

Inert gasesInert gases

Inverter welderInverter welder

Producing a safe, strong Producing a safe, strong weld in agriculture weld in agriculture

applicationsapplications Select the process best suited to the

task Properly identify the base metal Determine which filler metal to use Application of welding techniques

Ag Welding process Ag Welding process selectionselection

SMAW: most common, versatile GMAW: high deposition, low penetration GTAW: dairy applications, stainless,

aluminum OFW: brazing, cutting, some welding

apps Considerations: HAZ, ferrous or non-

ferrous, service or use of item

Base metal identification for Base metal identification for ag weldingag welding

Carbon steel: low, medium, and high Cast iron: implement parts Stainless steel: dairy applications,

parts Aluminum: sprinkler pipe, parts

Base metal identificationBase metal identification

File test for hardness: scale 1 to 10 Magnet for iron content: low carbon

steel Color of metal: aluminum or stainless Weight Application(s) Owner’s manual, manufacturer, ask

questions

Filler metal selection for ag Filler metal selection for ag weldingwelding

Low carbon steels or mild steels: E6010, E7018, ER70S-6 series for GTAW or GMAW applications

Medium carbon steels: E8018 or higher tensile strength, pre-heat/post heat

Follow a welding procedure or recommended practice from the manufacturer

Electrical safety in ag Electrical safety in ag weldingwelding

Cable insulation integrity Hardwire or pigtails Solid connections: soldered Serviceable stinger and ground Covers on quick connects Compressed gas cylinder safety Water issues Grounding

Ag shop welding Ag shop welding considerations prior to considerations prior to

weldingwelding Shielding: UV/IR light, grinder sparks Protect floor Cover vital parts of equipment Ventilation Noise abatement Fire extinguisher, fire watch Clean work area, combustibles, trip

hazards

Mobile repair/field service in Mobile repair/field service in agriculture agriculture

Proper fuel for welding machine Secure cylinders, upright position Protect gauges Inspect leads prior to operation Ground properly: bearings, fuel cells,

electronics—consult owner’s manual Fume from welding, motors Combustibles: fuels, crops, clothing

Mobile repair, cont.Mobile repair, cont.

Chock wheels Park on level of terrain if possible Fire watch Fire extinguisher Communications Contingency plan: where, when,

what, . . .

Other welding safety in Other welding safety in agricultureagriculture

Welding/cutting on tanks, vessels, or cylinders

Confined space Grain dust and/or other combustibles Grounding: damage to electronics,

bearing, and fuel

EvaluationEvaluation

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