• Key terms are defined in this section.

To understand the Welding and Cutting topic, it is important to first understand what certain terms mean. These terms, as defined here, are used throughout this topic.

• Approved: Accepted, certified, listed, labeled, or otherwise determined to be safe by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
• Brazing: Joining metal items by melting a filler metal that has a lower melting point into the joint between them, at a temperature above 840°F (450°C).
• Fire watcher: A worker who is trained on fire hazards and prevention and provides additional safeguards against fire during and after welding, cutting, or heating operations.
• Hot work: Any work that involves burning, welding, or using fire- or spark-producing tools, or that produces a source of ignition.
• Listed: Mentioned in a list that is published by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and states that the equipment meets nationally recognized standards or has been tested and found safe for use.
• Nationally recognized testing laboratory: An organization recognized by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) that tests equipment or materials for safety and lists, labels, or accepts them.
• Soldering: Joining metal items by melting a filler metal that has a lower melting point into the joint between them, at a temperature below 840°F (450°C).
• Welder and welding operator: Any operator of electric or gas welding and cutting equipment.
• Welding: Joining metal items by melting them together, without a filler metal.