Preface
This is the fourth edition of CSA Standard W117.2, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied processes. It supersedes the previous editions, published in 1994, 1987, and 1974.
As the welding industry enters the twenty-first century, health and safety issues in the welding environment are increasingly important. This Standard focuses on occupational health and safety within the various welding processes and applications.
This Standard does not deal with design requirements of welding and cutting equipment or of systems and their installations. Most of these requirements are already covered by a number of Standards, such as CSA Standard C22.2 No. 60, Arc Welding Equipment, and Standards produced by the Compressed Gas Association, the National Fire Protection Association, and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
This Standard does identify the requirements for the operation of cutting and welding equipment, and equipment of related processes, and addresses specifically the operator of such equipment, the supervisor, and the employer under whose authority such operations are carried out. The Standard identifies the safety and health hazards that may be encountered when such equipment is operated. It provides two options to the employer on how to implement all the necessary health and safety measures by
(a) following procedural guidelines as identified in Clauses 5 to 10; and
(b) implementing a health and safety program as identified in Clause 3.
Most medium to large companies that have occupational health and safety resources will probably choose to do a risk assessment, while a small welding shop may prefer a procedural approach. In respect to the control of fumes and gases generated by welding or allied processes, procedural guidelines (Method 2 in Clause 11 S) are given in Tables 5 and 6. They allow selection of appropriate control measures according to the process, material, production level, and degree of confinement of the operation. Welding operations not covered by these Tables should be assessed according to Method 1 (see Clause 11 S). In Method 1, the fumes and gases associated with the welding operation are identified by using air sampling to measure the welder’s exposure to airborne contaminants and to determine the adequacy of the ventilation provided. This method can be used for any welding operation and is generally preferred to Method 2. Engineering controls and methodology are determined for each unique application.
In the course of preparing this new edition, extensive use was made of material originally prepared by the American National Standards Institute and the National Fire Protection Association. Grateful acknowledgement is extended to these organizations.
Scope
1.1 Objective
1.1.1
This Standard provides minimum requirements and recommendations to protect persons who work in an environment affected by welding, cutting, and allied processes from illness and injury, and to prevent damage to property arising from the installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment used in such processes.
1.1.2
This Standard provides for the elements of a welding health and safety program, as specified in Clause 3, for implementing the requirements and recommendations described in Clause 1.1.1.
1.2 Applicability
1.2.1
This Standard applies to all personnel working in an environment affected by welding, cutting, and allied processes.
1.2.2
The requirements of this Standard apply to the processes illustrated in the Master Chart of Welding and Allied Processes (see Appendix A).
1.2.3
Where a conflict arises between a provision of this Standard and the legislative requirements of a provincial or federal jurisdiction, the legislative requirements prevail.
1.3 Exclusions
This Standard does not apply to the design or manufacture of welding or safety equipment.
1.4 Units of Measurement
The values given in SI (metric) units are the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
