Free job hazard analysis · 29 CFR 1910.251-255
Welding and Cutting JHA Template: Set Up Through Storage
A welding and cutting JHA describes how to control fire, shock, radiation, fumes, and burns as hot work progresses. The template moves from area setup and equipment checks to welding, cooldown, and cylinder storage. Shop supervisors, welders, and fire-watch personnel can use it to plan their responsibilities before an arc is struck or a torch is lit.
The full welding and cutting JHA template
Welding and Cutting Operations. Blanks in [brackets] are for your own details.
The printable copy downloads as a web page file: open it in your browser, then print it or save it as a PDF.
Job hazard analysis for arc welding, oxy-fuel cutting, and brazing operations.
- Step 1
Set up welding area
High riskHazards
Fire from nearby combustibles, inadequate ventilation
Controls
Clear 35-foot radius of combustibles or use fire-resistant blankets. Ensure ventilation (min 2,000 CFM per welder). Hot work permit.
- Step 2
Inspect welding equipment
Medium riskHazards
Electrical shock from damaged cables, gas leaks
Controls
Check cables for cracks/exposed wire. Inspect regulators and hoses. Leak test all gas connections with soapy water.
- Step 3
Don PPE and begin welding
High riskHazards
Arc flash eye injury, UV radiation burns, fume inhalation
Controls
Welding helmet with proper shade lens (#10-14 for arc). FR clothing covering all skin. Leather gloves. Respirator if ventilation insufficient.
- Step 4
Perform welding/cutting
High riskHazards
Burns, fire, toxic fume exposure (hexavalent chromium on stainless)
Controls
Fire watch with extinguisher present. Monitor for smoke/fumes. Position body to avoid plume. Check SDS for base metal coatings.
- Step 5
Cool-down and fire watch
Medium riskHazards
Latent fire ignition, contact burns on hot metal
Controls
Fire watch minimum 30 minutes after hot work ceases. Mark hot metal with "HOT" chalk. Do not leave area unattended.
- Step 6
Clean up and store equipment
Medium riskHazards
Compressed gas cylinder hazards, trip hazards
Controls
Close cylinder valves, bleed lines, replace caps. Store cylinders upright, chained, separated (O2 from fuel by 20 ft or firewall).
The printable copy lays the steps out as a table with Prepared by, Reviewed by and Date lines.
A starting point, not legal advice. Have a qualified person check it against your site, your state's rules and the standard before you rely on it.
Welding and cutting JHA: when it’s needed
Use the JHA before welding, oxy-fuel cutting, or brazing, especially in a temporary work area or on unfamiliar metals. It is a recommended planning tool rather than a general federal paperwork requirement. Fire prevention duties apply under 29 CFR 1910.252(a), including a fire watch where specified. Ventilation requirements appear in 1910.252(c). Document the hot work authorization and permit arrangements for your operation, and have a knowledgeable reviewer check controls against coatings, nearby combustibles, and the work environment.
How to use this welding and cutting JHA template
- Inspect the work area, including concealed spaces and the opposite side of surfaces that welding or cutting could heat.
- Identify base metals, coatings, electrodes, and consumables so ventilation and any respiratory protection address the fumes actually produced.
- Assign equipment inspection, hot work authorization, fire watch, and cooldown duties to named people before starting the operation.
- Verify cylinder storage, hose routing, hot-metal marking, and cleanup arrangements rather than ending the review when welding stops.
Before you use this welding and cutting JHA template: what to fill in and check
- Combustible locations, openings, adjoining operations, and available fire protection equipment.
- Welding process, current, lens shade, protective clothing, and equipment manufacturer instructions.
- Ventilation design and exposure assessment for the specific metals and coatings.
- Permit issuer, fire-watch assignment, post-work observation period, and cylinder storage location.
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Welding and cutting JHA questions
How long must a fire watch stay after welding?
When a fire watch is required, 29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(iii)(B) calls for maintaining it for at least thirty minutes after welding or cutting ends to detect and extinguish possible smoldering fires. Your permit or site conditions may call for longer observation. The person assigned needs suitable extinguishing equipment and a way to raise the alarm.
Can oxygen and fuel-gas cylinders be stored together?
Stored oxygen cylinders must be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials by at least twenty feet, or by a noncombustible barrier at least five feet high with a half-hour fire-resistance rating, under 29 CFR 1910.253(b)(4)(iii). The template’s firewall shorthand needs those details. Identify a storage arrangement that actually provides the required separation.
Does every welding station need the same ventilation rate?
No. The template’s airflow figure is not a universal design rule for all welding situations. Ventilation selection depends on the process, enclosure, metals, coatings, and applicable provisions of 29 CFR 1910.252(c). Evaluate exposure and source capture for the job. If respiratory protection is needed, address its selection and use through the respiratory protection program.