Safety Sheet

Safety Sheet

Cutting Tools

Metal cutting tools typically operate at 10,000rpm – plenty of speed to do serious injury. They shoot sparks when cutting, which are small bits of hot steel. As with any spinning tool, loose clothing is dangerous as it can get caught by the tool and pull you into the spinning blades.

The most important safety tip is to be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to what’s happening around you as well as what you are doing.

Proper safety gear for cutting tools includes:

1 – Eye protection. These prevent sparks from getting in your eye, where they can rust and continue to cause injury after the fact.

2 - Ear protection. Cutting steel is noisy.

3 – Dust masks. Steel dust is abrasive and breathing it in will cause scratches in your lungs.

Epoxies , Body Filler, and Paint

These chemicals are harmful if inhaled, ingested, and sometimes harmful to the skin. Many epoxies and body fillers, ie Bondo, are exothermal reactions when the two parts are mixed. That means they generate heat, so if some of it got on your skin after mixing, it can cause burns. Most of the time you will be sanding these materials after using, and the dust, like steel dust, can be harmful to your lungs.

Proper safety gear for adhesives includes:

1 – Eye protection

2 – Dust mask or respirator (respirator for paint and fiberglass)

3 – Nitrile gloves

Welding

Welding creates extremely bright light due to the heat necessary to melt steel. This light is strong enough to cause eye damage, similar to staring at the sun. There is also spatter and sparks, particularly with MIG welding, created during the process. These sparks are a few thousand degrees, which is certainly hot enough to cause serious burns and pain. Welding also creates harmful gases, which should not be inhaled.

Proper safety gear for welding includes:

1 – Welding hood or goggles. The welding hood is a must for MIG welding. The darkened welding goggles may be used for torch welding.

2 – Welding gloves. These are thick leather gloves that cover up the forearm.

3 – Long pants. Sparks can land anywhere, including inside your shoes. Pants are a must.

4 – Welding jacket. These jackets prevent your clothes from burning due to sparks.