4 minute read
SAFETY ALERT
WASA-2023-01 |
ISSUED: 2 MARCH 2023
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WELDER’S CLOTHING CATCHING FIRE
WELDER’S CLOTHING CATCHING FIRE
Three serious incidents involving welders’ cotton drill clothing catching fire when welding, grinding or in contact with a hot welded plate have been reported to Weld Australia. These incidents have all resulted in welders suffering serious burns requiring immediate hospitalisation and treatment.
Three serious incidents involving welders’ cotton drill clothing catching fire when welding, grinding or in contact with a hot welded plate have been reported to Weld Australia. These incidents have all resulted in welders suffering serious burns requiring immediate hospitalisation and treatment.
• All cotton clothing including cotton drill, is flammable and will readily burn if ignited.
• Welder’s and personnel performing hot work should wear flame-resistant clothing.
• All cotton clothing including cotton drill, is flammable and will readily burn if ignited.
• Welder’s and personnel performing hot work should wear flame-resistant clothing.
Issue
Cotton drill clothing including high-visibility clothing commonly available in Australia, including that worn by welders, typically claim compliance with one or more of the following Standards:
Issue
• AS/NZS 4399 Sun protective clothing - Evaluation and classification
Cotton drill clothing including high-visibility clothing commonly available in Australia, including that worn by welders, typically claim compliance with one or more of the following Standards:
• AS/NZS 4399 Sun protective clothing - Evaluation and classification
• AS/NZS 1906.4 Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes Part 4: High-visibility materials for safety garments
• AS/NZS 4602.1 High visibility safety garments Part 1: Garments for high risk applications
• AS/NZS 1906.4 Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes Part 4: High-visibility materials for safety garments
Cotton clothing, including cotton drill, is not flame-resistant unless specifically treated to be flame-resistant. Whilst cotton drill, being a heavy close weave, is more difficult to ignite, it will burn if ignited. Undergarments being a loose weave fabric, can be highly flammable and must not be exposed whilst thermal cutting, grinding or welding. Exposed undergarments and have been known to ignite and set the outer garment alight.
• AS/NZS 4602.1 High visibility safety garments Part 1: Garments for high risk applications
Cotton clothing, including cotton drill, is not flame-resistant unless specifically treated to be flame-resistant. Whilst cotton drill, being a heavy close weave, is more difficult to ignite, it will burn if ignited. Undergarments being a loose weave fabric, can be highly flammable and must not be exposed whilst thermal cutting, grinding or welding. Exposed undergarments and have been known to ignite and set the outer garment alight.
Flame-resistant cotton drill clothing is commercially available in Australia but typically adds in excess of $100 to the price of the item. The clothing label claiming flame resistance should include reference to conformance with standards such as ISO 11611 Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes, ISO 11612 Protective clothing – Clothing to protect against heat and flame – Minimum performance requirements, ISO 14116 Protective clothing — Protection against flame — Limited flame spread materials, material assemblies and clothing, ASTM F1959 Materials that protect against electric arc, or possibly AS/NZS 4502.2 Methods for evaluating clothing for protection against heat and fire
Flame-resistant cotton drill clothing is commercially available in Australia but typically adds in excess of $100 to the price of the item. The clothing label claiming flame resistance should include reference to conformance with standards such as ISO 11611 Protective clothing for use in welding and allied processes, ISO 11612 Protective clothing – Clothing to protect against heat and flame – Minimum performance requirements, ISO 14116 Protective clothing — Protection against flame — Limited flame spread materials, material assemblies and clothing, ASTM F1959 Materials that protect against electric arc, or possibly AS/NZS 4502.2 Methods for evaluating clothing for protection against heat and fire.
Synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester are difficult to ignite, however, once ignited, severe melting and dripping occurs. For this reason, they are not suitable for use in welding—the melting synthetics can adhere to the skin and inflict serious burns.
Guidelines For Protective Clothing For Welders
The normal working clothing of a welder should:
Synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester are difficult to ignite, however, once ignited, severe melting and dripping occurs. For this reason, they are not suitable for use in welding—the melting synthetics can adhere to the skin and inflict serious burns.
• Protect all parts of the body from hot particles or objects.
Guidelines For Protective Clothing For Welders
• Be preferably of wool or flame-resistant cotton drill or conform with ISO 11611.
• Be free of cuffs or open pockets that could trap molten metal causing local burns or setting fire to clothing.
The normal working clothing of a welder should:
• Fit snugly at wrists but be loose fitting when working in hot conditions.
• Protect all parts of the body from hot particles or objects.
• Cover tops of footwear.
• Be preferably of wool or flame-resistant cotton drill or conform with ISO 11611.
• Be maintained in good condition i.e. laundered as required and hole-free.
• free of cuffs or open pockets that could trap molten metal causing local burns or setting fire to clothing.
• Fit snugly at wrists but be loose fitting when working in hot conditions.
• Cover tops of footwear.
Welder’s leathers that cover exposed clothing offer good protection when performing hot work.
• Be maintained in good condition i.e. laundered as required and hole-free.
Warning
1. Undergarments can be readily ignited and must not be exposed whilst thermal cutting, grinding or welding.
Welder’s leathers that cover exposed clothing offer good protection when performing hot work.
2. Synthetic materials such as nylon or acrylic should never be worn whilst performing hot work as they will melt or readily stick to skin when overheated or ignited.
Warning
1. Undergarments can be readily ignited and must not be exposed whilst thermal cutting, grinding or welding.
Further Information
2. Synthetic materials such as nylon or acrylic should never be worn whilst performing hot work as they will melt or readily stick to skin when overheated or ignited.
Refer to Weld Australia’s Technical Note 7 Health and Safety in Welding for further information. It can be download free of charge from https://weldaustralia.com.au
Further Information
Authorisation: Geoff Crittenden, CEO and Executive Director, Weld Australia
Refer to Weld Australia’s Technical Note 7 Health and Safety in Welding for further information. It can be download free of charge from https://weldaustralia.com.au
Authorisation: Geoff Crittenden, CEO and Executive Director, Weld Australia
