|  | Public Health Safety | Work Safety

Hazards of Welding & Cutting With Oxygen-Fuel Gas

When someone is using a blowtorch for welding, cutting or brazing, what they're actually doing is burning a combination of a fuel gas (such as acetylene) that's been mixed with oxygen. A welding torch mixes gases from two separate cylinders and then ignites them to create a flame that's hot enough for the job at hand. However, welding with oxygen-fuel gas has a number of dangers that those who are doing the job should be aware of.

  1. Glare

    • One of the dangers of welding and cutting with an oxygen and fuel gas mixture is the brightness of the flame. The burning of an oxygen and fuel gas mixture can burn extremely hot and bright, which can lead to problems with the welder's vision. Just staring at the flame for a short time may not be much of a problem, but welders are often welding and cutting metal with their torches for hours at a time, which can lead to their eyes becoming damaged by the bright light. This is why it's important that they wear safety goggles that are tinted, which will reduce the impact of the bright light on their eyes.

    Flashbacks

    • One of the biggest dangers to welders that use oxygen and fuel gas mixtures in their work is a flashback. A flashback is when one or both of the gases that are being mixed begin to burn inside the blowtorch. The flame begins to burn down the hoses to the canisters, where it ignites the gases and causes an explosion that can cause a lot of damage. For this reason it's important to carefully monitor your equipment when using an oxygen and fuel gas mixture, and it's equally important to install a gasket that will prevent a flashback from occurring.

    Fumes

    • It's important that you focus the blowtorch very carefully and that you have the proper mixture of fuel gas and oxygen when using this method to weld or cut. Fumes from these gases that escape from the torch or from the canister could lead to fires or other damage to the user or their work area. Additionally, the fumes from the fuel gas are hazardous to breathe. So if the torch is left unlit but open, a small work area could be filled with the fumes from the canister. It's important to check all connections and the canister before lighting your torch for this reason.

Work Safety - Related Articles