Take 5 minutes-your life may depend on it!

[absintheisfun]

We put ourselves in hazardous situations every time we work on our cars, but probably don't pay enough attention to it.


http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm

[toxicz28]

Read this awhile ago. He was lucky to survive it, despite waiting 9 days to seek medical treatment.
Stacy David actually talked about phosgene on Gearz. Truly a deadly chemical in very small quantities (4 ppm).

[dropit69]

yeah i seen this while back and watched Stacy talk about it on gears..and actually they talked about it at my job..crazy that they cant find a diff additive to not create the harm in first place..

[MrQuick]

I know a lot of guys that used brake clean when cleaning parts before welding. I am surprised they are still alive.

Also watch them cars when they are up. Jack stands and block them grounded wheels please. Always try to remember the buddy system when working too.

Vince

[JEFFTATE]

Dang !
Brake Clean can be dangerous !!
I'm never welding around it !

[trapin]

No such thing as "too safe".

[98ssnova]

Im not a welding expert but why would switch cleaner knowing that this might be fatal this seems irresponsible. Maybe im just being critical but i dont that i would put myself in that position

[toxicz28]

I know a lot of guys that used brake clean when cleaning parts before welding. I am surprised they are still alive.

How I understand it is once a puddle of brake clean is heated to welding temperatures, and combined with argon, the phosgene is the byproduct.
I think that once the brake cleaner evaporates, the reaction doesn't occur. However, I'm not willing to test it out.

[Jim Nilsen]

Cleaning up an area with a grinder or sandpaper is my usual format and I can't recall ever using solvents prior to welding anything. I was always taught to keep all solvents away from the welding areas. the only can around the welding areas I have worked in was the anti-spatter spray.

I feel very fortunate to have been taught the habits I have because I would be dead by now with all of the stuff I have welded in my life.

Thanks for the post as it will keep me from doing something stupid when the day comes that it just doesn't seem easy to grind or sand the area for prep and that can of brake clean is near.

[shortrack]

Phosgene gas is commonly known as "Mustard Gas".....Mustard Gas was the German's gas of choice for use against the Allies in World War 1

Phosgene gas is very common in my industry, HVAC......it is formed when you have to use a torch to weld copper tubing/lineset and there are traces of "Freon" left in the line that you are welding.....the gas is created when you burn chlorine.....in cases of cramped quarters the technique is to take several deep breaths before welding and hold your breath while welding, exhaling and blowing the smoke away from you....usaually you only weld for 5 or 10 seconds.....sounds a little crude but you soon learn even when holding your breath to keep as far away as possible from the "puff of white smoke" (it rises slowly).....many times Ive droppped the torch at the end of the weld and walked 10 or 15 ft away before taking a breath.....I instictivly hold my breath when doing any welding even mig

the guy who wrote the story must have directly inhaled the white smoke.....nasty for sure

[absintheisfun]

.....in cases of cramped quarters the technique is to take several deep breaths before welding and hold your breath while welding, exhaling and blowing the smoke away from you....usaually you only weld for 5 or 10 seconds.....

I am flabbergasted that any industry or any company within an industry trains you to "hold your breath" in a toxic situation and "blow" the smoke away before breathing.

If this stuff is as nasty as the article described and as commonplace as HVAC jobs, surely there is a respirator of some sort that can allow you to be safe.

[shortrack]

In our industry theres deadly situations every time you turn around especially in commercial environments....working with 600v all day every day.....going out to repair a comm rooftop mounted unit in the dead of winter and the only spot on the building to put your extension ladder is covered in snow and ice, making sure a loose piece of clothing doesnt get you sucked into a 6' dia fan.....staying out of the way of the little puff of white smoke isnt that bad actually.....that I can see....its the stuff you dont see that will get you.......!