The welder turned on the power to the welding machine and received an electric shock

Welding is a critical skill and often a pivotal process in numerous industries, ranging from construction to automotive repair. However, it also comes with significant risks, and real-life incidents illustrate the severe consequences of not prioritizing safety. Consider the real case of a welder in a factory who found his life tragically cut short due to an electrocution accident.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to welding safety protocols. The welder was assigned to an outdoor temporary construction task involving electric welding. Lacking a suitable power socket, he devised a makeshift connection by scraping off the paint on the head of each cable conductor, bending them into small hooks, and hanging them on the open-air power grid line. Unfortunately, his lack of familiarity with electrical systems led him to mistakenly connect the neutral wire to the live wire. When he attempted to adjust the welding current and inadvertently touched the machine's shell, the machine's electrified casing resulted in a fatal electric shock. This tragic incident underscores the criticality of a few key principles in welding safety.

As a welder, before turning on the power of the welding machine, you should ensure that all welding parameters have been set correctly and the equipment is in a safe state. The most important safety checks that need to be performed before turning on the power of the welding machine include:

1. 1. Check whether the power cord is intact and there are no exposed wires.
2. 2. Confirm that there is no damage to the welding machine itself, such as whether the insulation layer is damaged.
3. 3. Make sure that all operators have left the welding area to prevent electric shock accidents.
4. 4. Disconnect the power switch of the welding machine to prevent misoperation.
5. 5. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as insulating gloves, insulating shoes, protective glasses, etc.
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7. If you are electrocuted when turning on the power of the welding machine, you should immediately take the following measures:
8. 1. Quickly disconnect the power supply to ensure safety.
9. 2. Call an emergency number for help, such as 120 (mainland China), and provide detailed information about the injury and location.
10. 3. If there are other people around, please inform them immediately and ask for emergency assistance.
11. 4. While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, try not to move the injured person unless he is in a more dangerous environment.
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13. Safety is the primary task of welding work. You must always comply with relevant safety regulations and operating procedures to ensure the safety of yourself and others.