CAN/CSA-W117.2-12 (R2017)

Overview Maintaining a safe work environment for welders, welding operators and other workers is the focus of the new sixth edition of W117.2-12 – Safety in Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes. It provides minimum requirements and recommendations to protect people who work in an environment affected by welding, cutting and allied processes from illness and injury, and to prevent damage to property arising from the installation, operation and maintenance of equipment used in these processes. Benefits of W117 include: (a) Up-to-date welding safety guidelines to help ensure worker safety and meet OH&S regulations (b) Welding health and safety program guidelines to maintain a quality company program (c) Hot work defined, permit programs outlined (d) Annexes with fire safety plans, hazard assessment guidelines and other useful information Highlights of CSA W117.2-12 Include: Significant changes for revised standard: (a) Definition of Confined Spaces has changed to more closely represent confined spaces in line with the majority of jurisdictions. This section has been aligned to follow the definition change. (b) Significant consultation with provincial fire marshals brought about changes to the section on fire prevention and protection during hot work to more correctly align with the intent of many jurisdictions. (c) Requirements for permitting and permissible areas have been clearly defined and mandated. (d) Changes in the Ventilation section include reference documentation for installing ventilation systems. (e) Annex B (guidelines for welding and cutting on containers) has been re-written with improved methods and warnings. (f) For anyone involved in underwater cutting and welding, this whole section has been greatly expanded with detailed requirements for the various processes.

Preface This is the sixth edition of W117.2, Safety in welding, cutting, and allied processes. It supersedes the previous editions published in 2006, 2001, 1994, 1987, and 1974. Its subject is the health and safety of welders and welding operators. Scope 1.1 Objective 1.1.1 This Standard provides minimum requirements and recommendations to protect persons who work in an environment affected by welding, cutting, and allied processes from illness and injury and to prevent damage to property arising from the installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment used in these processes. 1.1.2 This Standard specifies the elements of a welding health and safety program (see Clause 4) that are necessary to implement the requirements and recommendations specified in this Standard. 1.2 Applicability 1.2.1 This Standard applies to all personnel working in an environment affected by welding, cutting, and allied processes. 1.2.2 The requirements of this Standard apply to the processes illustrated in the Master chart of welding and allied processes (see Figures A.1 and A.2). Note: One should consult the authority having jurisdiction, together with this Standard, to ensure compliance to mandatory legislative requirements. 1.3 Exclusions This Standard does not apply to (a) the design or manufacture of welding or safety equipment; and (b) storage, use, and handling of natural gas and propane in accordance with CSA B149.1 and CSA B149.2. 1.4 Terminology In this Standard, \"shall\" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; \"should\" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and \"may\" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (nonmandatory) to define their application. 1.5 Units of measurement The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.