Landracing Forum
Tech Information => Safety => Topic started by: Captthundarr on May 30, 2013, 10:26:51 AM
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http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm
Thought I would help get this one rolling by reposting the above link. There have been many posts on the forum the show folks in some hazardous situations and using unsafe practices in and around the shop. As with any motorsport, there are hazards that are hard to avoid, but armed with a little knowledge and forethought we can enjoy these activites injury free.
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Cap't
Just a thought. Maybe change the subject to "Kick it off-welding safety". Then newcomers will have some idea of what it pertains to rather than having to click on it to find out.
JMHO
Ron
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Thanks Ron. I'll change it to "Safety in general" since thats basically what the page is about.
Thanks again.
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First safety item is to have several fire extinguisher readily available,know where they are,and clearly accesable. To late to look for the fire extinguisher when the shop or car is on fire.
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One ext. hanging in front of the vehicle's stall for the two car garage, one in the back seat of the pickup (for mobile as well as when I'm in the garage), one on the bench next to the truck. Total of four. Fire extinguishers are cheaper than garages or vehicles or skin grafts.
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Below is a link with guidelines for placement and inspection of home /shop fire extiguishers. Check them monthly.
http://www.windsorfire.com/divisions-prevention-home-fire-extinguisher-guidelines
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Let's see what happens when I put this link here:
http://www.landracing.com/docs/phosgene_main.jpg
Yeah, that's what I wanted - just the article, not the rest of the site. Nothing wrong with putting the site here, but I guess maybe we should keep this topic on the safety items per se, not the background.
Here's the label of the can:
http://www.landracing.com/docs/phosgene_label.jpg
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Every place I've worked required a hot work permit before any welding could take place. Most businesses prefer that they not burn to the ground.
You may not think you need this level of protection, but you don't want the garage and house burning either.
Hot work permit required for: Welding, grinding, plasma cutting, anything that makes a spark.
35 feet of clear space required. No flammables. Non movable flammables covered with a fire resistant cover.
Sufficient Fire extinguishers at the location. Fire extinguishers from the department cannot be used. Separate person on fire watch not involved with the work. Stays for 30 minutes after work is done.
Work permits are not issued for areas that have explosives, stored flammable liquids, wood dust, propane, lint, oily rags, etc.
Personal protective equipment: Proper helmet and lens, ventilation, screens to protect other workers from viewing the arc.
And that's the tip of the iceberg. Look up hot work permits it you want to see the whole dance and show.
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I also use hot work permits at work, and needless to say, it does make one more mindful of fabricating at home. However, following all these requirements we are accustomed to at work, would put 95% of racers and home fabricators out of a place to work.
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The only place we don't need a "Hot work permit" in the power plant is the weld shop. A lot of times I'll use a hacksaw to not get a permit for a cut off grinding wheel. (Too many eyes) :-o Safety is number 1 and at this time we have 7 years without a lost time accident. It makes you think at home and at the race track too..JD
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I'm the safety, Health, and Environmental manager at my plant. My facility is a large bakery, concrete, cinderblock and stainless steel everywhere except the warehouse and storage freezers and our hot work permit is 3 pages long. My thoughts for the home shop "fire watch" are simple but easily forgotten / overlooked.
Keep the floor swept, be mindfull that sparks jump, bounce and roll. And be aware of what is under, behind and next to the item being welded, ground or cut (plasma). Remeber that spray cans can and will explode.
Just some thoughts, having been ignited as a young man and would rather not be cooked again.
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A clean shop is a safe shop.
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Mine is kinda dangerous I guess.....
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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That 35 foot rule is something to think about. I have something to learn everywhere I turn on this forum. One additional thought I have on fire extinguishers: I have one at the electrical sub panel in my shop/garage and one at each sub panel in our office. You might have an 'event' that you need to run and cut the power, and then you can return to the scene with the extinguisher already in hand.
35 feet is a long way. I gotta work on that.
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Turbofan, most fire codes state a maximum of 75 feet in general industry which is what management goes by. More is always better especially near high risk work areas. My "shop" is 18 by 24 and there are 2 extinguishers and a water hose. Not to mention the beer :-D
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I see folks wearing all kinds of PPE and not using any hearing protection. I keep gun muffs in the shop and use ear plugs at the Salt.
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My buddy Clive comes around to visit every so often. He used to build Sandmasters so should know his way around a workshop. He and other guys that come here always stand on the "wrong" side when using the angle grinder and I've been warning them for years. Clive was helping here the other day and using the Makita. He caught on fire. He was wearing a Polyester shirt and as usual the sparks were hitting him. I heard him scream and in his panicked state just dropped the machine while it was running. Result, one broken machine and cutting disc. He never got off lightly either. You wouldn't think a shirt could generate a fire that big. He was out of his shirt in a flash but it wasn't enough. He was red from the waist up but got it bad around the armpits. From the time he screamed to where I ran twenty feet to get the extinguisher it was over. We should never get complacent. Just my 2 cents.
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Here's one for you Frank :-D :-D :-D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO7dBeSAJoM
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The vise can be bolted to a square chunk of wood. That way, it is portable and it sits more securely on the floor or table.