Confined Space Gas Welding and Cutting

Gas welding is a process or processes that use fuel gases and oxygen to weld and cut metals. Gas welding hazards include fires, toxic fumes, cylinder ruptures, and in some cases, oxygen deprivation, all of which become exacerbated when gas welding is performed in a confined space. The most common type of gas welding within confined spaces is oxy acetylene welding, which combines acetylene and oxygen to burn at temperatures above 6,000° F (3,315° C). Welding using propane is about 3,600°F (1,982°C), and propane oxygen is about 4,500°F (2,482°C).

Welding metal is comprised of using two pieces of metal to be heated to molten metal and then using filler metal to connect them. The apparatus used in gas welding consists of an oxygen source and a fuel source, two pressure regulators, two flexible hoses, and a torch. You must be hot work trained to perform gas welding and cutting in a confined space, and a hot permit must be assigned to your work.

To learn more visit our Confined Space Online Training web page.