AWS Welder Safety & Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum safe distance OSHA recommends between welding operations and flammable materials?
- 10 feet (3 meters) (Correct answer)
- 25 feet (7.6 meters)
- 35 feet (10.7 meters)
- 50 feet (15 meters)
Correct answer: 10 feet (3 meters)
OSHA 1910.252 requires flammable materials to be moved at least 35 feet away or shielded with fire-resistant guards, but the minimum clearance from the work itself is 10 feet.
Question 2: Which type of fire extinguisher is most appropriate for a welding shop where electrical equipment and flammable metals may both be present?
- Type A
- Type B
- Type C
- Type D or ABC combination (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Type D or ABC combination
A Type D extinguisher handles combustible metals, while an ABC combination extinguisher covers ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical fires common in welding environments.
Question 3: Under ANSI Z49.1, what is the recommended air change rate for natural ventilation in a welding area with a ceiling height of 16 feet?
- 1 air change per hour
- At least 2,000 cubic feet per welder (Correct answer)
- A minimum of 10,000 cfm
- No minimum is specified for natural ventilation
Correct answer: At least 2,000 cubic feet per welder
ANSI Z49.1 specifies that natural ventilation is acceptable when the welding area provides at least 10,000 cubic feet (approximately 2,000 cfm per welder) with no more than 200 cubic feet per minute air movement.
Question 4: A welder is about to weld on a drum that previously held a petroleum solvent. What is the FIRST required step?
- Wear a supplied-air respirator
- Purge the drum with inert gas only
- Clean, purge, and verify the drum is free of flammable vapors (Correct answer)
- Weld with the bung hole open to allow vapors to escape
Correct answer: Clean, purge, and verify the drum is free of flammable vapors
AWS and OSHA require that containers that held flammable or combustible liquids be thoroughly cleaned, purged, and tested with a combustible gas detector before any hot work begins.
Question 5: What does the term 'hot work permit' primarily ensure in a welding safety program?
- The welder has passed a certification test
- Supervisory approval and hazard assessment before ignition sources are introduced (Correct answer)
- That welding PPE meets ANSI standards
- The welding machine is properly grounded
Correct answer: Supervisory approval and hazard assessment before ignition sources are introduced
A hot work permit system ensures that a qualified person has assessed and documented the hazards, controls, and fire watch requirements before welding or cutting begins in non-designated areas.
Question 6: Which OSHA standard specifically governs welding, cutting, and brazing safety in general industry?
- 29 CFR 1910.134
- 29 CFR 1910.252 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1926.350
- 29 CFR 1910.147
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.252
29 CFR 1910.252 is the OSHA general industry standard covering welding, cutting, and brazing safety requirements including ventilation, fire prevention, and PPE.
Question 7: When welding zinc-coated (galvanized) steel, which specific toxic fume hazard must be communicated to welders?
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Metal fume fever from zinc oxide (Correct answer)
- Hexavalent chromium exposure
- Nitrogen dioxide buildup
Correct answer: Metal fume fever from zinc oxide
Burning the zinc coating on galvanized steel produces zinc oxide fumes that cause metal fume fever, a flu-like illness that typically resolves within 24–48 hours but requires immediate ventilation controls.
AWS Welder Safety & Compliance 2
What is the minimum safe distance OSHA recommends between welding operations and flammable materials?