Gas cutting - or oxy-fuel welding, to give it it’s official name – is a process in which both oxygen and fuel gases are used to cut metals and to weld. Although commonly used for welding tubes and pipes, and for repair work, the process doesn’t come without risk, making safety paramount when carrying out any gas cutting.

With this in mind, here are some safety precautions anyone using gas cutting equipment should endeavor to follow:

Fire protection precautions

To prevent sparks from flying and setting off a fire, all materials that are combustible in nature should be moved at least 35 feet away from where the cutting work will be carried out. Should this not be feasible, then at the very least, flameproof guards or covers should be put in place to protect all combustibles.

Ensure that an ABC fire extinguisher of an appropriate size is within easy reach should it be needed, and that a permit for hot work has been acquired if the cutting will take place in an area not previously approved.

Personal protection precautions

It’s important that not only is the area in which the gas cutting will take place kept safe at all times, but also that those performing the cutting be kept safe. Here are some ways to protect yourself from the following dangers (or your employees) when gas cutting:

• Inhalation of fumes – where possible, use local exhaust ventilation, and if adequate ventilation is in place, ensure that safe work practices are adhered to and personal protective equipment is worn without fail.  
• Injuries to the eyes – it’s easy for eyes to be injured during gas cutting due to exposure to gas and vapor, flying debris, and burns and fumes from hot metal slag, so protecting them at all times is essential. You can do this by wearing full-face protection with tinted lens, and glasses that are ANSI-approved.
• Injuries to the body – heavy duty clothing including hats, gloves, aprons, pants, long-sleeved shirts and leather shoes or steel-toed boots clothing must be worn at all times when gas cutting, to protect against flying red-hot metal and sparks. Avoid synthetic clothing at all costs.

Maintaining and protecting gas cutting equipment

Using gas cutting equipment appropriately and maintaining it sufficiently is imperative; follow these instructions to protect your equipment:

• Ensure that cylinders are always stored and used when in an upright position
• Whether cylinders are empty or full, they must be properly secured to stop them from falling
• Never roll cylinders on their sides, carry or sling them unless properly slung
• When not in use, cylinders must be capped
• Oxygen cylinders and stored fuel gas should be separated by a barrier no less than 5-foot in height and minimum 30 minute fire rating, or kept at least 20 feet apart
• Only ever use oxygen hoses that are green and have righthand threaded coupling, or fuel gas hoses that are red with left-hand threaded couplings
• Ensure that before attaching a regulator to a cylinder valve, the couplings are free of debris. By briefly opening each cylinder, you can eliminate debris, but you should never blow out valves with compressed air as there’s a possibility it may contain oil.
• Position non-combustible materials so that welding hoses don’t come into contact with sparks or hot metal.

You should also ensure that your own protective equipment, along with any cutting connections are free from oil and grease, as should oxygen interact with any petroleum products, an explosion can occur.

Gas cutting can be dangerous, but when you take the appropriate safety precautions, buy the best safety equipment, and maintain it properly, you can remain safe and get the job done with ease.