To become a qualified and skilled oxy-acetylene welder, you must remember the following 26 essential safety practices. One small mistake can lead to serious accidents—so take every point seriously!
Oxy-Acetylene Welding & Cutting: Safety Settings and Standards Summary
| Item | Standard / Recommendation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen Hose Color | Blue | Do not interchange with acetylene hoses |
| Acetylene Hose Color | Red | Strict color separation from oxygen hose |
| Torch Ignition Order | 1. Open Acetylene → 2. Open Oxygen | Reverse order when shutting off |
| Oxygen Cylinder Residual Pressure | ≥ 0.1 MPa | Prevents air or impurities from entering the cylinder |
| Acetylene Cylinder Residual Pressure | 0.05–0.1 MPa | Avoid full depletion |
| Oxygen Regulator Working Pressure | 0.3–0.5 MPa | Low-pressure gauge setting |
| Acetylene Regulator Working Pressure | 0.03 MPa | Low-pressure gauge setting |
| Maximum Valve Opening (Acetylene) | 1.5 turns max, typically ¼ turn | To allow rapid shut-off in emergency |
| Cylinder Storage Position | Upright only | Never lay acetylene cylinders flat |
| Minimum Break Time Practice | Close all torch valves and never leave torch on ground | Extinguish completely if leaving work area |
| Protective Gear | Safety goggles / welding shield | Mandatory during all cutting and welding operations |
| Ventilation Requirement | Good natural or mechanical ventilation | Especially critical for enclosed spaces or tanks |
- Use copper wire or bamboo sticks to clean clogged torch tips. Never use iron wire.
- Choose the appropriate torch and tip based on the thickness of the workpiece. Avoid using welding torches to cut thick metal or small tips for heavy-duty cutting.
- When connecting torches, ensure the oxygen hose is tightly secured. The acetylene hose should be snug but easy to connect and disconnect. Never use hoses that are aged or damaged by flashbacks.
- When lighting the torch, release acetylene gas first, then oxygen.
- Always have clean water available at the worksite to cool the torch tip.
- If you’re taking a short break, close the valves on the torch tightly. Never place the torch directly on the ground. For longer breaks, extinguish the flame completely.
- Do not carry hoses over your shoulder while operating the torch. Never use the flame for illumination.
- If you detect a gas leak or faulty valve during operation, stop immediately. Do not resume until the issue is fully resolved.
- If hoses pass through pedestrian areas, cover them properly and ensure a safe distance from electrical lines.
- The welding area must be well ventilated. If welding inside containers, use mechanical ventilation.
- Oxygen and acetylene hoses must be kept separate and must not be interchanged.
- When igniting the torch, open the acetylene valve first, then the oxygen valve. To extinguish the flame, close the oxygen valve first, followed by the acetylene valve.
- Keep all oily substances away from gas cylinders, hoses, and torches.
- After completing your work, shut off the valves on oxygen and acetylene cylinders, clean the area, extinguish all flames, and cut off the power after cooling down the metal.
- Always store and use acetylene cylinders upright. Do not lay them down, as this may cause acetone to leak and trigger an explosion. If the cylinder was previously laid flat, stand it upright for at least 20 minutes before use.
- Do not heat gas cylinders with sources exceeding 40°C.
- Never carry an oxygen cylinder on your shoulder. Avoid rolling cylinders if they lack shock-absorbing rings or if the temperature is below –10°C.
- Do not completely empty gas cylinders. Leave at least 0.1 MPa pressure in oxygen cylinders and 0.05–0.1 MPa in acetylene cylinders.
- If the pressure regulator freezes, use warm water or steam to defrost it. Never use a flame or red-hot iron. After heating, make sure to remove all residual water.
- According to current standards, use blue hoses for oxygen and red hoses for acetylene.
- Always wear protective goggles when welding or cutting.
- Open the acetylene cylinder valve slowly and do not exceed 1.5 turns. Typically, a quarter turn is enough.
- Do not use cotton, hemp rope, or general rubber as gaskets for oxygen regulators—they are flammable.
- When releasing pressure from the regulator, first close the cylinder valve. Then discharge the remaining gas and loosen the adjusting screw to bring the gauge needle to zero.
- The oxygen pressure regulator should be set between 0.3–0.5 MPa.
- The acetylene pressure regulator should be set at 0.03 MPa.
About Jinhong Gas
Jinhong Gas is a leading industrial gas supplier in China, committed to delivering high-quality gases and innovative solutions for a wide range of industries including welding, cutting, metallurgy, and manufacturing. With advanced production technology, rigorous safety protocols, and a deep understanding of customer needs, Jinhong Gas provides stable and reliable supplies of oxygen, acetylene, nitrogen, argon, helium, and specialty gases. Whether you’re a professional welder or a large industrial operation, you can count on Jinhong Gas for safe, efficient, and timely gas delivery services. Our goal is to empower your productivity while ensuring the highest level of operational safety.
