We are a small metalsmithing and jewelry making school and studio. I
really want to have a safety handout for the students as well as the
studio members. In particular I am concerned with acetaline safety,
machinery safety (polishing machines in particular) and general
safety in the workshop. I know that there are handouts with quizzes
that reinforce the safety info out there. I do not want to reinvent
the wheel, so does anyone have info on a good safety info source in
the workshop and workbench? Thanks.
first acetylene rises, propane stays low to the ground…the real
hazard here is propane…but with regular leak testsing ( put up a
checklist for your staff and have them do it at least
weekly…overkill …perhaps but, good practice) all crises can be
abated.Check your tank valves and insure that there is no rust around
the threads or any part of the assembly. Every time anyone leaves
their bench, make it policy to turn off all lines, acetylene,
propane, O2, or god forbid, hydrogen.
.If you are truly worried about safety consider the water
torch…nothing could be safer, but without electricity you have no
torch…
a flashback arrestor is wise for a school as far as liability goes,
check valves, are far cheaper and just as reinforcing as the
flashback arrestor.(using both are overkill).Pressure is another
factor in the flashback arrestor/check valve weigh-in…without x
pressure most flashback arrestors won’t work and are more suited for
natural/city gas, or large externally chained- to- the- building
propane tanks with a line running into the studio.Have it installed
by your gas company or propane supplier…
have a seperate/clearly delineated soldering space with individual
workstations so each person controls / is responsible for their own
torch and tank set-up, ( this can be a long countertop with supports
at each space to mount a torch hanger,and attach a receptacle for
storing goggles, and strikers- (although i much prefer the torchmate
for lighting the torch ) individual acetylene tanks with regulators
and hose assemblies( the shorter the hose the better in school
set-ups…a ten foot hose is enough to trip on if someone is careless,
and a six footer is plenty to allow flexibility and still stay tidy
under each person’s space) and a larger shared O2 tank firmly bolted
to the wall.Don’t allow any student to be in the building alone and
using soldering equipment…it’s far too much of a liability.remember
to put waivers of liability in the registration packets. consult a
lawyer, or insurance agent if necessary ( lawyer first- don’t tip off
your insurer-particularly if they don’t know about the
school/studio…)You may want to contact Barbara Joiner at the John
C.Campbell Folkschool, their set up for soldering is quite efficient
and can accomodate six or eight on relatively small wall… Have an
emergency plan. Have fire extinguishers ( although with an explosion
it’s basically a moot point, none-the-less have extingusihers up to
date and clearly visible…a sprinkler system is a good capital
improvement to use in future grant planning, if you can’t afford one
right from the start.Have a telephone in the next room from the
soldering stations clearly marked and set to speed dial the fire
department should the need arise…if you are rural, have an easily
operated pump with enough hose to basically throw in a stream, or
reservoir and use while waiting for the fire dept if the building
goes. know what puts out what…water accelerates some fires, dry
things like baking soda stop flux fires in their tracks, but get the
osha handbook and do your own research rather than i write it all out
for you…safety is not something to lightly approach.particularly if
you are taking money from students, and have a residence in proximity
to the studio…read your local fire code…you may be dumbfounded when
you realize the requirements you have to meet…and what about
handicapped, or otherwise motion impaired students…what is your plan
of removing them from a dangerous situation?..If you need more to
think about write me off Orchid…I will be glad to discuss Industrial
health education with you.
a flashback arrestor is wise for a school as far as liability
goes, check valves, are far cheaper and just as reinforcing as the
flashback arrestor.(using both are overkill).
A check valve is not designed to act as a flashback arrestor. A
check valve can and will allow a tiny amount of reverse flow when it
seats. Also dust and foreign objects can cause it not to seat fully.
If that reverse flow is burning gas then the flashback will continue
along the hose. Use a real flashback arrestor forget about using a
check valve as a flashback protection device.
James Binnion @James_Binnion
James Binnion Metal Arts