[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 8]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1926.351]

[Page 239-241]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 
                                OF LABOR
 
PART 1926_SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart J_Welding and Cutting
 
Sec. 1926.351  Arc welding and cutting.

    (a) Manual electrode holders. (1) Only manual electrode holders 
which are specifically designed for arc welding and cutting, and are of 
a capacity capable of safely handling the maximum rated current required 
by the electrodes, shall be used.
    (2) Any current-carrying parts passing through the portion of the 
holder which the arc welder or cutter grips in

[[Page 240]]

his hand, and the outer surfaces of the jaws of the holder, shall be 
fully insulated against the maximum voltage encountered to ground.
    (b) Welding cables and connectors. (1) All arc welding and cutting 
cables shall be of the completely insulated, flexible type, capable of 
handling the maximum current requirements of the work in progress, 
taking into account the duty cycle under which the arc welder or cutter 
is working.
    (2) Only cable free from repair or splices for a minimum distance of 
10 feet from the cable end to which the electrode holder is connected 
shall be used, except that cables with standard insulated connectors or 
with splices whose insulating quality is equal to that of the cable are 
permitted.
    (3) When it becomes necessary to connect or splice lengths of cable 
one to another, substantial insulated connectors of a capacity at least 
equivalent to that of the cable shall be used. If connections are 
effected by means of cable lugs, they shall be securely fastened 
together to give good electrical contact, and the exposed metal parts of 
the lugs shall be completely insulated.
    (4) Cables in need of repair shall not be used. When a cable, other 
than the cable lead referred to in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, 
becomes worn to the extent of exposing bare conductors, the portion thus 
exposed shall be protected by means of rubber and friction tape or other 
equivalent insulation.
    (c) Ground returns and machine grounding. (1) A ground return cable 
shall have a safe current carrying capacity equal to or exceeding the 
specified maximum output capacity of the arc welding or cutting unit 
which it services. When a single ground return cable services more than 
one unit, its safe current-carrying capacity shall equal or exceed the 
total specified maximum output capacities of all the units which it 
services.
    (2) Pipelines containing gases or flammable liquids, or conduits 
containing electrical circuits, shall not be used as a ground return. 
For welding on natural gas pipelines, the technical portions of 
regulations issued by the Department of Transportation, Office of 
Pipeline Safety, 49 CFR Part 192, Minimum Federal Safety Standards for 
Gas Pipelines, shall apply.
    (3) When a structure or pipeline is employed as a ground return 
circuit, it shall be determined that the required electrical contact 
exists at all joints. The generation of an arc, sparks, or heat at any 
point shall cause rejection of the structures as a ground circuit.
    (4) When a structure or pipeline is continuously employed as a 
ground return circuit, all joints shall be bonded, and periodic 
inspections shall be conducted to ensure that no condition of 
electrolysis or fire hazard exists by virtue of such use.
    (5) The frames of all arc welding and cutting machines shall be 
grounded either through a third wire in the cable containing the circuit 
conductor or through a separate wire which is grounded at the source of 
the current. Grounding circuits, other than by means of the structure, 
shall be checked to ensure that the circuit between the ground and the 
grounded power conductor has resistance low enough to permit sufficient 
current to flow to cause the fuse or circuit breaker to interrupt the 
current.
    (6) All ground connections shall be inspected to ensure that they 
are mechanically strong and electrically adequate for the required 
current.
    (d) Operating instructions. Employers shall instruct employees in 
the safe means of arc welding and cutting as follows:
    (1) When electrode holders are to be left unattended, the electrodes 
shall be removed and the holders shall be so placed or protected that 
they cannot make electrical contact with employees or conducting 
objects.
    (2) Hot electrode holders shall not be dipped in water; to do so may 
expose the arc welder or cutter to electric shock.
    (3) When the arc welder or cutter has occasion to leave his work or 
to stop work for any appreciable length of time, or when the arc welding 
or cutting machine is to be moved, the power supply switch to the 
equipment shall be opened.
    (4) Any faulty or defective equipment shall be reported to the 
supervisor.
    (5) See Sec. 1926.406(c) for additional requirements.

[[Page 241]]

    (e) Shielding. Whenever practicable, all arc welding and cutting 
operations shall be shielded by noncombustible or flameproof screens 
which will protect employees and other persons working in the vicinity 
from the direct rays of the arc.

[44 FR 8577, Feb. 9, 1979; 44 FR 20940, Apr. 6, 1979, as amended at 51 
FR 25318, July 11, 1986]