NFPA 51B, Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work, provides guidelines to prevent fires during hot work operations. It is the basis for many current fire prevention practices adopted by industry. [2]

OSHA standards incorporate NFPA 51B-1962 by reference for fire prevention and protection during welding and cutting. [1] [4]

Key aspects covered in the standard include:

• Basic precautions
• Special precautions
• Fire protection and prevention responsibilities for welders and cutters, supervisors, and management

[1] [4] Basic precautions outlined by OSHA include:

• Moving fire hazards to a safe place if the object to be welded or cut can be moved.
• Using guards to confine heat, sparks, and slag and protect immovable fire hazards if the object cannot be moved and fire hazards cannot be removed.
• Welding and cutting should not be performed if the above requirements cannot be followed.

[4] [6] Special precautions may include:

• Protecting combustible materials below floor openings or cracks.
• Maintaining suitable fire extinguishing equipment in a state of readiness.
• When welding or cutting is performed in locations where other than a minor fire might develop, or any of the following conditions exist, fire watchers shall be required:

[4] Fumes and gases produced during welding and cutting processes can be dangerous to your health and may cause serious lung disease. Keep your head out of fumes. Do not breathe fumes and gases. Use enough ventilation, local exhaust, or both to keep fumes and gases from your breathing zone and the general area. [3] [5]