Michigan’s state requirements regarding welding, cutting, and brazing include a substantial amount of regulatory information beyond the federal requirements. Click the link below to view the federal requirements.
Welding, Cutting and Brazing
Citations
Michigan: Occupational Health Standards, Part 12. Welding and Cutting
Michigan Occupational Health standard: Occupational Health Standards, Part 529. Welding, Cutting and Brazing
Federal: 29 CFR Subpart Q—Welding, cutting, and brazing
A summary of the additional requirements includes the following:
- The total volume of acetylene used per hour must not exceed 1/7 of the total volume of the acetylene supply in the system.
- A cylinder to which a regulator is attached must not be moved unless secured to a hand truck or powered truck designed or equipped for that purpose.
- Empty cylinders must be so marked at time of depletion.
- Cylinders must be stored away from heat in excess of 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
- A cylinder storage area must be posted with a warning against tampering by any unauthorized employees.
- A cylinder must not be stored in basements or pits, except where proper ventilation is provided.
- Windows and openings from an inside acetylene generator room to other parts of the building must be installed in accordance with the Standard for the Installation of Fire Doors and Windows, NFPA 80-1974.
- Where a liquid or gaseous oxygen system has a storage capacity of more than 20,000 cubic feet, including unconnected reserves, the system must be as prescribed in NFPA standard 50-1971, Bulk Oxygen Systems.
- A cylinder used for stabilized methylacetylene-propadiene must be constructed of materials suitable for this fuel gas in the gaseous or liquid phases.
- A chain, bracket, or other restraining device must be used at all times to prevent cylinders from falling.
- A frozen or ice-clogged valve must be thawed either by warm air or use of warm water, and must be dried before using.
- A cylinder with a valve in need of repair must be managed as if it were leaking.
- Welding and cutting by gas utility firms on live mains is exempt from standard fire precautions when the main is filled under positive pressure with natural or manufactured gas and air movers are used to ventilate areas where fumes might accumulate.
- Welding or cutting is permitted in a sprinklered building while that protection is impaired if a fire watch is provided. The welded construction of a transmission pipeline must be conducted in accordance with the standard for welding pipe lines and related facilities, API Standard 1104-1973.
- Arc welding equipment working through resistors from DC trolley voltages of 250 to 600 volts must have a protective device for automatically disconnecting the power during arc off periods.
- Automatic control devices for reducing no-load voltage below 50 volts must be provided where AC welding is to be done under wet conditions that could provide a shock hazard.
- Handles and wheels on arc welding machine control apparatus must be large enough to be grasped by a gloved hand.
- Arc welding machines must be disconnected when being moved and turned off when not in use.
- Arc welding electrodes must be retracted or removed when not in use. Electrode holders must not be cooled by immersion in water. Cut insulation on work and lead cable or exposed bare conductors of an arc welding machine must be protected by electrical tape and made water tight or the conductor must be replaced. Splices must be made by insulated welded joints or pressure connectors.
- Resistance welding machines must be inspected at least yearly.
- An external weld initiating control circuit for a portable spot or seam welding machine must operate at not more than 36 volts.
- One or more safety emergency stop devices must be provided on all multispot welding machines with a minimum of one stop device at each operator position.
- A large welding press must be equipped with one or more safety pins, latches, or blocks capable of sustaining the full static load. The blocks, pins, and latches must be electrically interlocked with the power source so that when the blocks are removed from their storage area on the machine and inserted under the ram or platen, the machine becomes inoperative.
- When a trolley is used to support a portable welding machine with a clevis for attachment to a safety chain, the clevis must be of wrought or forged steel.
- Each acetylene generator must be provided with a vent pipe of galvanized iron or steel.
- A window in the partition of an inside acetylene generator room must be wired glass in metal frames as prescribed in NFPA-80-1973 standard, Installation of Fire Doors and Windows.
- Containers of carbide stored outside must be inspected monthly.
- Signs, tags, and markings for Michigan Michigan’s requirements for signs and tags correspond to the federal requirements; however, the state adds further requirements. A summary of the additional requirements includes the following: There are specifications for lettering style and size of signs.
- There are requirements for placement and illumination of signs.
- There are requirements for directional signs.
- Tags shall be large enough to attract attention to the hazard, with the minimum letter size for the signal word in perspective to a safe viewing distance. The signal word shall be in bold type.
- There should be no variation in the type of design of tags posted or hung to warn of a specific hazard.
- Tags shall be protected or be of such material to last and maintain legibility during the assignment of the tag.
- There are requirements for "do not start" and “out of order” tags.
