Introduction

The purpose of this publication is to provide the owners of small welding and cutting shops with a practical guide to help ensure the safety and health of employees and the protection of property. The maintenance of the health and safety of employees is vital to the successful operation of any business. Healthy and safe workers are productive and contribute to the profitability of the business. Conversely, workers exposed to unhealthy and unsafe work environments can be costly to a business through decreased productivity, absenteeism, increased medical expenses, increased property damage, and fines up to a maximum allowable penalty of $70,000.00¹ for a willful or repeated safety or health violation.

This document describes the common potential health and safety hazards that may be present in a small welding and cutting shop and provides practical advice on protecting workers and property. It should be understood that not every potential hazard can be addressed in an overview publication, but additional sources of help are identified throughout the publication. Some aspects of health and safety, for example the assessment of worker exposures to welding fumes, may require personnel with professional training and equipment not normally employed in an independent shop. The shop owner may have to hire professional assistance in certain circumstances. When outside assistance is necessary, AWS recommends the shop owner consider engaging a Certified Safety Professional (see “Websites,” page 23).

¹. A willful violation is defined by OSHA as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (1970) and regulations. The maximum fine that can be proposed for a willful violation is $70,000.