Aluminum spot welding

[Safetyranger]

We are an aluminum product fabrication facility. One of our products is being considered for a process and design modification which would put the product being spot welded at multiple build stations. We currently do all welding, regardless of type or duration, inside enclosed and protected welding booths set up to meet all applicable regs. Welding will only be about 2% of the process performed at these stations (literally about 30 seconds per piece). The facility is not air conditioned so heat is a factor during the hotter months. The curtains we use are typically the hanging strip style for the entrance and exit which poses some hazard moving the large material in and out. Do these individual build stations have to be fully enclosed by welding curtains or are there other recognized protections for this type of process? Does anyone have a specific source or past experience with this issue?

 

[mcgyvr]

Without looking into the OSHA regs.. We had a smaller floot mount spot welder just sitting amongst the drill presses,etc.. for years at our old building and had regular OSHA inspections that never sited that as an issue.

 

[Safetyranger]

How where adjacent employees protected from the arc?