1.

Completed by: Andrew McVicar

Staff number: 1121632

Faculty/Division:Division of NaturalSciences, Faculty of Science

Document number
SWP-Worksho
-013

School/Unit:
School of Chemistry,located in the Schoolof Physics.
Current Version
Next review dale:
Issue date: g'h August
9111 August 2015
2013

Initial Issue dael

111
28 January 2011 (SOP
format)

2.Safe work procedure title and basic description of activity

Title: Oxy/Acetylene Welding Set
Description of activity:-

3.List Hazards and risk controls as per risk assessment

Associated risk
assessment
number: RA
Workshop-002 _
Risk Rating :
Medium
Machinery
Location: All
workshops

Potential hazards

Controls
Extreme care required to avoid contact with f)ame and contact with welded
or heated metal components.
Extreme care to be used by wearing welding goggles or mask, and leather
apron, and ensure no one else is in close proximity.
Work in open space or appropriately ventilated area. If required,
wear appropriate breathing mask.

Flashbacks

Ensure flash back arresters are fitted appropriately.

Only wear welding goggles. Normal safety glasses will not protect
from radiation damage.
Ensure any flammable or combustible materials(including oil and grease)
are not in close proximity of the operation or the storage location of the
oxygen cylinder. Be mindful of potential distance a spark may travel.

CD Burns
CD Flying sparks
CD Fumes
CD

CD Radiation damage to
eyes

Ci) Combustible
materials

CD Explosion
by gas
leakage

Ensure regulators are checked and maintained according to Australian Standard

4839.

4.List resources required including personal protective clothing, chemicals and equipment needed

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Welding goggles must be worn

at all times in work areas.

t.iJ1

Sturdy footwear must be worn at

all times in work areas.

C\
\LS

Long and loose hair must be

contained.

Oil free leather gloves must

be worn.

Close fitting/protective
clothing must be worn.

Respiratory protection
devices may be required.

S.List step by step instructions or order for undertaking the task

PRE-OPERATIONAL SAFETY CHECKS

,/ Locate and ensure you are familiar with all equipment operations and controls.
,/ Check workspaces and walkways to ensure no slip/trip hazards are present.
,/ Keep area clean and free of grease, oil and any flammable materials. WARNING: Oil may cause an explosion if used on
oxygen fittings. DO NOT USE.
-:-- - ---"/ tE-Rsur:e-gas-f:IGses-ar:e-iA-geeG-GenaitieA-anEki&-Aet-Gr-eate-a-tFil:ll:liAg-haz-ar-d..,...-------- ---------'--- --,/ Before lighting up, check all equipment for damage. Check that oxy goggles have a suitable grade of lens fitted for the job at hand.
,/ Check that the area is well ventilated. Start the fume extraction unit before beginning to weld.

,/ Ensure the unit is fitted with working flashback arresters.

Page 1 of4

PRESSURE SETTING
,;' Fit a suitable torch and suitable sized welding tip to the torch for the job at hand. Adjust so that the torch valves are to the side.
,;' Check that the oxygen and acetylene regulator adjusting knobs are loose.
,;' Check that both torch valves are closed.
,;' Slowly open the cylinder valves on each cylinder for half a turn only.
,;' Screw in the regulator adjusting knobs slowly until the delivery pressure gauges register the pressure recommended by the
equipment manufacturer.
,;' Purge and check for constant oxygen gas flow:
Open the oxygen valve on the torch for 2 seconds and check the delivery gauge.
If necessary re-adjust the oxygen regulator to achieve the correct pressure.
Close the oxygen valve.
,;' .Purge and check for constant acetylene gas flow:
Open the acetylene valve on the torch for 2 seconds and check the delivery gauge.
If necessary re-adjust the acetylene regulator to achieve the correct pressure.
Close the acetylene valve.

LIGHTING UP
,;' Open the acetylene valve slightly and light the torch with a flint lighter.
,;' Continue to slowly open the acetylene valve until the flame no longer produces soot.
,;' Slowly open the oxygen valve until aneutral flame is produced.

SHUTTING OFF TORCH.

,;' Close the acetylene valve first.
,;' Then close the oxygen valve.

ENDING OPERATIONS
,;' Close down both cylinder valves.
,;' Open oxygen torch valve to allow the gas pressure out.
,;' When oxygen gauges read zero, unscrew regulator-adjusting knob.
,;' Close oxygen torch valve.
,;' Turn off acetylene cylinder valve.
,;' Open acetylene torch valve and release gas.
,;' When acetylene gauges read zero, release regulator adjusting knob.
,;' Close acetylene torch valve.

CLEANING UP
,;' Hang up welding torch and hoses.
,;' Switch off the fume extraction unit.
,;' Leave the work area in a safe, clean and tidy state.

DON'T

Do not use faulty equipment. Immediately report suspect equipment.

DO' NOT use oil, grease or other hydrocarbons.

PO NOT leave acetylene valve open if torch is not lit.

DO NOT flame cut or weld steel directly on concrete surface as concrete will explode off the surface.

Page 2 of 4

6.List emergency shutdown procedures

Turn off oxygen gas first, then turn off acetylene gas. Note: If done in the opposite order, oxygen may explode in a flashback situation.
7.List Emergency procedures for how to deal with fires, spills or exposure to hazardous substances
Shut off flames. Use a fire extinguisher or fire blanket in close proximity to extinguish flames, if manageable. Otherwise raise alarm
and evacuate.
8. List Clean up and waste disposal requirements
Allow heated metal to cool completely, then collect and dispose of in general waste stream.
9.List legislation used in the development of this SWP

Gemma Thompson
Res'ponsibi

for SWP review:

Gemma Thompson

Date of review:

gth

ust 2013

In signing this section the assessor/ authorisor agrees that the following persons are competent in following this

SWP
Name

Signature

Date
Competent

Name of Assessor/Authoriser

Andrew McVicar

David Beech

Marcel Kaegi

David Beech

Rattan Bhandari

David Beech

Ces Delapez

9 August

David Beech

2013
Michael Paterson

6 October

2011

Terry Pfeiffer

See Physics
file

6 October

2011 .

Pa geS of 4

Assessor/Authoriser
signature