There are a lot of industries which require at least occasional welding, cutting, or brazing. And for these industries, OSHA ensures safety is maintained through Standard 1910.252. This standard is an overview of all safety requirements surrounding these dangerous procedures, however by following these guidelines, welding, cutting, and brazing can be effectively performed without risk to your employees.

The first, and most serious, guideline listed surrounds fire prevention and protection. OSHA prefaces the discussion of fire prevention practices by citing NFPA Standard 51B,1962, which is the basis for this OSHA standard. It then goes on to state that all fire hazards must be removed from the vicinity, guards must be used if these items can not be removed, and that there are a number of special precautions which must be followed in various unique circumstances. It is also important to seal openings in the floor below work zones, ensure sprinkler systems are functioning properly, and have adequate fire extinguishing materials present. Finally, you need to employ fire watchers in a number of situations where a fire or the spread of flames may be more likely.

OSHA also looks at the individual performing the welding, cutting, or brazing. OSHA sets forth a series of requirements surrounding personal protective equipment, focusing on various types of equipment in different situations. This is everything from eyewear to self ventilators, with a large number of specific regulations specifying which eye protection is required, down to the specific lenses and hand shields.

Finally, OSHA requires that adequate ventilation is available. Whether this is through self contained ventilators or ventilation systems, your safety team needs to have a ventilation plan in place. If you do not have a compliant ventilation plan in place, it might be time to consider hiring a professional firm to help you develop your plan.

If you need any help in deciphering Standard 1910.252, or if you have any other specific questions, please contact us. And if you have any pointers for staying within OSHA’s guidelines without impairing your daily welding, cutting, or brazing operations, please leave a comment.

There are a number of standards set forth by OSHA which cover the “walking-working surfaces” of a place of employment. Previously, we covered the general requirements of Walking Working Surfaces and the specific requirements surrounding Guarding Floor and Wall Openings. Additionally, OSHA created Standard 1910.22 which discusses general housekeeping and maintenance for floors, specifically areas considered aisles or passageways.

The primary objective of this standard is to ensure the floors your employees walk across are clean and unobstructed, and that no surfaces are over encumbered by items heavier than they are approved to handle. The first piece to this surrounds keeping areas orderly and sanitary. So, don’t leave obstructions all over the floor to trip your employees, and if you work with hazardous materials, don’t leave them a mess on the floor. Also, keep your floors clean, allow for drainage if necessary, and properly sign areas that are slippery.

Next, you need to make sure you mark all aisles and passageways, provide guardrails if there is a hazard nearby, and allow safe clearance should mechanical handling equipment be used in close proximity. Once you have met these criteria, you need to ensure you maintain these areas and keep them in good repair with no obstructions.

Finally, you need to ensure you have proper marking plates in place denoting the allowable loads for various surfaces throughout your building. These limitations are to be determined by a building official and need to be maintained. It is also important to follow these weight guidelines, because it can be a serious hazard should a support give out from excessive weight.

By following these steps, you will have a safer workplace that is OSHA compliant. If you are having trouble finding ways to bring your facility up to code, or if you have any specific questions about this standard, please contact us so we can help. And if you would like to add anything on this subject, please leave a comment.

Most facilities utilize stairways in one way or another for daily or occasional business purposes. This can be stairs between floors, stairs to a storage basement or storage attic, or stairs out of the back loading dock of a warehouse. Regardless of why there are stairs, or how often they are used, if there are stairs in your facility, then they must be up to code as per OSHA Standard 1926.1052.

Whether your staircase is temporary or permanent, under construction or in use, this standard must be consulted before any changes are made, and at least annually during audits to ensure stairways remain safe for employees and customers. This standard regulates the size of steps, the height of steps, the dimensions of landings, the angle of the stairway, the material used to create the stairways, doors and gates on a stairway, the condition of the stairway, stairways under construction, stair-rails, and handrails. Stairways must be kept clear of clutter and debris, as well as “hazardous projections, such as nails.” There must be adequate treads, and all steps and landings must be filled with concrete or at least covered by a hard, solid, wooden plank. All materials used in stair construction must be solid, firm materials, and must ensure safety. All steps must be of uniform height, width, and depth. And don’t forget to hang proper signage as applicable.

If, after reading this brief synopsis, you have any questions about the stairways in your facility, or about any remodeling projects you are planning which involve stairways, please contact us to get more information on this important OSHA standard. And if you have anything to add about this topic, please leave a comment.