5 Suggestions For Staying Safe While Spot Welding

Published by Giulio Valle in Informational · 24 March 2023
Tags: Spot, Welding, Safety, Tips, You, Need, To, Know, Right, Now

5 Basic Tips To Follow When Using A Resistance Spot Welder

It's safe to say that many people ask us how to use our resistance welding equipment safely. I'll provide a few pointers on the most common hazards. All resistance welding equipment must only be used for the intended purpose by qualified and trained personnel. Please read the manual that comes with your equipment – it provides you with a lot of valuable safety information.

1. Can I get Electrocuted if I Touch the Weld Cables or Electrodes?

Fortunately, No. CD, AC, DC, and HF devices are all below the voltage threshold, where electrocution would be dangerous. Although a current of 250 milliamps at the chest can stop the heart, the body and skin's resistance makes it hard to get that much voltage. Resistance welding devices typically output voltages ranging from 3 to 10, rarely going beyond that. High currents are therefore not possible in the body as a result.

2. Does Touching the Coils or Electrodes Burn?

Yes. Make certain you adequately cool the electrodes and electrode holders. A buildup of heat may cause burns on your skin if not adequately cooled. Liquid-Cooled welders have a circulating pump that pumps a coolant mixture throughout the spot welder and to the electrode caps to cool the electrodes. This increases spot weld quality and performance as well as improved Cycle Times.

3. Can I Get Pinched by the Electrodes?

5 Suggestions For Staying Safe While Spot Welding

It's true. If safety precautions are not taken, your hand may be pinched or squeezed between the moving electrodes if you place it in their path. Otherwise, you may use tooling rather than your hands to hold parts in place or replace foot switches with anti-tie-down palm buttons to prevent your hands from coming into contact with the moving electrodes.

4. Can the Weld Sparks Damage my Eyes?

Always wear safety goggles and a protective apron when handling molten material to prevent injuring your eyes or other body parts. Remove any flammable products from the work area.

5. Is there any Magnetic Field Issue to Consider if I Have a Pacemaker?

There is no proof that magnetic fields around welders are harmful to users. However, there are also no research studies on whether magnetic fields can impact the health of welders with implanted medical devices, including pacemakers. There are also no official investigations into the matter, so we advise against using a magnetic spot welder if you have a pacemaker.

As stated by a qualified medical professional, the distance between pacemaker patients and spot welder users can vary according to various factors, including the pacemaker manufacturer. Furthermore, I am not comfortable recommending or encouraging the use of spot welders close to a person with a pacemaker. Don't hesitate to contact your physician if you have any questions.

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