title = "Welding Safety: Fumes, Arc Flash, and Fire Risks"

content = """
Welding operations involve multiple serious hazards including toxic fume exposure, ultraviolet arc radiation, fire and explosion, electric shock, and burns. At Ridgecrest Metalworks, welding safety requirements are mandatory and are enforced by supervisors, safety personnel, and the welders themselves as part of the shop culture.

Welding fume hazards are among the most significant health risks. Welding fumes contain metal oxides, fluorides, and other compounds from the base metal, filler, flux, and any coatings. Manganese (from most steel welding fumes) is a neurotoxin; hexavalent chromium (from stainless steel welding) is a carcinogen; zinc oxide (from galvanized steel) causes metal fume fever; lead (from leaded steels or painted surfaces) is a systemic toxin; cadmium compounds (from plated parts) are highly toxic. Engineering controls (local exhaust ventilation—LEV—at the welding point, or general dilution ventilation for the welding bay) must be the primary protection, supplemented by respiratory protective equipment (RPE—air-purifying respirators with appropriate cartridges, or supplied-air respirators for high-risk operations such as welding stainless or galvanized). OSHA PELs and ACGIH TLVs must be met.

Arc radiation is intense across UV, visible, and IR wavelengths. UV radiation from the welding arc causes arc eye (photokeratitis—an extremely painful burn of the cornea) and skin burns in seconds of unprotected exposure. Welders must wear the correct shade lens in their welding helmet: shade 10–12 for MIG/stick, shade 8–10 for TIG, shade 5–8 for plasma/gas cutting. Bystanders and other workers near welding must be protected by welding screens (opaque or UV-absorbing curtains).

Fire and explosion hazards require hot work permit procedures. Before welding, inspect the work area within 35 feet for combustible materials, remove or shield them, have a fire extinguisher at hand, designate a fire watch (who remains for 30–60 minutes after welding ends), and confirm that confined space requirements are not triggered by the work location.

Electric shock: all welding equipment produces voltages that can be lethal under certain conditions. Welders must keep cables and electrode holders in good repair, never work on wet surfaces, and not drape welding cables over their shoulders when using high-current SMAW.
"""

version = "0.0.1"
