General Safety Precautions
Clothes and other materials not normally considered flammable will burn fiercely in the presence of oxygen and can be set alight by a single spark or even hot cigarette ash.
Acetylene and Handigas, being highly flammable gases, are ignited instantly by a spark or a piece of hot metal. In confined spaces, a small amount of either gas will create an extremely dangerous explosive atmosphere.
Each fuel gas has its own characteristic odour which assists in the detection of leaks.
A room in which welding, cutting or heating is to be done should be well ventilated.
Sparks from welding, and particularly cutting, can travel up to 10m in distance. Whenever possible such work should be carried out in a safe place, away from any combustible substances.
Where work cannot be moved, all materials likely to catch fire should be moved a safe distance away from the work and not placed near cylinders or hoses. Floors should be swept and suitable protection such as sheet metal guards or asbestos mats should be used to protect the operator and the floor. Tarpaulins are not sufficient protection. Wooden floors should be regarded as a fire hazard and sparks should not be allowed to fall into the grooves between the floorboards. Water should be used to flood the floor where no other protection is possible.
Ensure that dry powder or carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are readily available and that sand buckets are kept clean and free from combustible rubbish.
Telephone numbers of local emergency and fire-fighting services should be readily available together with the address and the telephone number of the nearest Afrox branch.