Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00419:body:0:p12
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00419
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welding is undertaken, can be insulated and air-ventilated to prevent workers from perspiring as perspiration is a conductor of electricity.
Table 1 below lists several ways to minimise the risk of electric shock when carrying out welding.

Table 1 Procedures to minimise the risk of electric shock

Work phase                                                                                                                                                     Procedure
Before welding                                                                                                                                                 Become familiar with the procedures and emergency plans for your workplace and make sure you understand how to perform welding activities safely and what you need to do if a person suffers an electric shock.
Do not work in an environment that is damp, humid or wet, or where a worker may be exposed to rain.
Check the equipment is well maintained. For example, conductors should be well insulated to prevent contact with live conductors.
Install shut down mechanisms such as fuses, low voltage safety switches or residual current devices on equipment.
During welding                                                                                                                                                 In hazardous working environments avoid working alone.
Use an appropriate hazard reducing device.
Avoid leaning against the material or structure during welding.
Wear personal protective equipment including welding gloves and rubber insulated shoes while working.
Where practicable stand, lay or sit on non-conducting material while carrying out welding.
Always keep the welding machine terminals and cable connections clean and tight and only use welding cables that are fully insulated for their entire length.
Minimise perspiration by allowing time to dry equipment during breaks, changing clothing, gloves, using ventilators and using an air fed welding mask.
Do not change electrodes by hand whilst simultaneously touching the bench or the work piece.
Do not connect or change welding cables before switching off the power at the mains.
Where devices have an earth (ground) connection, it is essential it is connected at all times.
After welding                                                                                                                                                  Check the condition of all equipment after use and report any defects.

Further guidance about electrical safety is available in:
    * Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks at the Workplace
    * Welding Electrical Safety, WTIA Technical Note No. 22, published by the Welding Technology Institute of Australia
    * AS 1674.2: Safety in welding and allied processes – Electrical.
    * AS 60974.1: Arc welding equipment – Welding power sources (Section 11 and 13
      for hazard reducing devices)

Electromagnetic fields
Electric arc welding produces strong electric and magnetic fields close to the power source
and around the current-carrying cables. Electromagnetic fields can disrupt the operation
of pacemakers, permanent defibrillators or other medical devices which could cause the heart
to stop or slow down. A worker will not be aware of a magnetic field hazard unless a heart pacemaker or other device is behaving irregularly.
Electromagnetic fields can also occur wherever power is being generated and near transmission lines. Before work near these facilities