Welding, Cutting and Brazing Safety

Upon completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Apply oxy-fuel safety: cylinder storage (oxygen and fuel gas separated by 20 feet or 5-foot fire-rated barrier), regulator inspection and connection, hose inspection, flashback arrestor function, proper lighting and shutdown sequence, and the handling that prevents cylinder valve damage and uncontrolled gas release.
• Apply arc welding electrical safety: primary and secondary voltage hazards, grounding requirements, cable and connector inspection, electrode holder insulation, work in wet or confined conditions, and the electrical practices that prevent the electrocution hazard unique to arc welding.
• Implement fire prevention for hot work: the 35-foot combustible clearance rule, relocating combustibles or providing fire-resistant covers, fire watch assignment (during work and 30–60 minutes after), fire extinguisher availability, and the hot work permit system that authorises every welding operation outside designated welding areas.
• Control welding fume exposure: identifying fume-generating metals (hexavalent chromium from stainless steel, manganese from structural steel, zinc oxide from galvanised, cadmium from plated, lead from painted), ventilation requirements (natural adequate for light work, mechanical exhaust for heavier exposure), and respiratory protection when ventilation is insufficient.
• Apply welding-in-confined-space safety: ventilation requirements (never weld in confined space without adequate ventilation), atmospheric monitoring (LEL, O2, toxic gases), inerting hazards (argon and CO2 shielding gases can displace oxygen), electrode/cylinder removal during breaks, and the confined space permit integration with the hot work permit.
• Select and use welding PPE: welding helmet shade selection (shade 10–14 for arc, shade 3–6 for oxy-fuel), FR clothing (no synthetic fabrics), welding gloves, safety glasses under the helmet, hearing protection for noisy processes, and the respiratory protection selection when fume exposure exceeds limits.

Core Curriculum Topics

• Oxy-Fuel Safety: cylinder storage, regulators, hoses, flashback arrestors, lighting/shutdown
• Arc Welding Safety: SMAW/GMAW/GTAW/FCAW, electrical hazards, grounding, cable inspection
• Fire Prevention: 35-foot rule, combustible management, fire watch (30–60 min post-work), extinguishers
• Hot Work Permits: authorisation, inspection, conditions, fire watch, documentation
• Ventilation and Fume Control: natural, mechanical, local exhaust, fume extraction arms
• Welding Fume Health Hazards: hexavalent chromium (§1926.1126), manganese, zinc oxide, cadmium, lead
• Confined Space Welding: ventilation, atmospheric monitoring, shielding gas O2 displacement
• Welding PPE: helmet shade selection, FR clothing, gloves, glasses, hearing, respiratory
• Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety: storage, handling, transport, valve protection, leak detection
• Cutting and Brazing: plasma cutting, brazing alloys, soldering, flux hazards

• No prior training required
• No academic degree required
• All instruction in English; working proficiency required

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• Welders and fabricators performing welding, cutting, and brazing operations
• Welding supervisors responsible for hot work safety and permit management
• Safety officers managing hot work programmes and fume exposure
• Fire watch personnel assigned to monitor welding operations
• Maintenance workers who perform occasional welding and cutting
• Anyone designated to issue or manage hot work permits

• Welding, Cutting, and Brazing Safety — YOU ARE HERE
• Fire Prevention Plans and Fire Protection (broader fire safety)
• Health Hazards in Construction (welding fumes as one construction health hazard)
• International Diploma in Industrial Safety Management (hot work at diploma depth)