HEALTH AND SAFETY
THE FIRST STEP IN WELDER SAFETY: MAINTAINING YOUR EQUIPMENT Welding and fabrication is underpinned by safety standards and practices. One of the most crucial health and safety checks that welders need to undertake regularly is an equipment inspection. Regular equipment maintenance is essential in ensuring the quality and longevity of welding equipment, as well as the health and safety of all team members.
According to Geoff Crittenden (Chief Executive Officer, Weld Australia), the maintenance of equipment involves a range of routine checks. “Simple actions such as checking that equipment is dry and well maintained and installing shut down mechanisms such as fuses and low voltage safety switches can save lives. Ensuring that all employees are equipped with the knowledge to undertake routine safety equipment checks is key to preventing incidents in the workplace,” said Crittenden. Taking care of welding equipment and machinery should be one of the first steps in any welding safety program. Conducting a safety check does not take long, but it can deliver a range of benefits, including: • Enhanced safety for your team • Increased quality and performance of welds • Longevity of equipment • Cost-savings for the future The level of maintenance required for welding equipment typically depends on the type of equipment in operation. Some machinery, like stick (MMAW) welding equipment requires very little maintenance, while GMAW (MIG) and GTAW (TIG) welders require a bit more care and attention. “Welding safety requires constant vigilance to ensure that all equipment is maintained, operating correctly and
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Australian Welding
being used with best practice in mind. The 10 minutes required to complete a thorough check can prevent serious injuries and fatalities within the workplace,” said Crittenden. Caring For Welding Equipment Welding machinery continues to push the boundaries of new technology and innovation. However, with advanced technology, comes extra responsibility. Many well-known brands of machinery have plugs and supply leads that do not boast the strength required to run at peak performance at all times. As such, welders need to understand the capacity of their equipment, maintain appropriate currents, and conduct regular safety assessments. Even when using smaller, more riskaverse equipment, welders should keep a close eye on the details. For example, stick welding equipment (MMAW), does not require daily maintenance but welders should still monitor the device’s performance over time, and replace parts when appropriate. The most significant maintenance concern in stick welding relates to electrodes. When electrodes are left in the open air, they tend to collect moisture, putting them at risk of rusting and long-term damage. As such, electrodes should be properly stored in a sealed container. Finally,
