Where should welders and torches not be used due to safety concerns?

Welders and torches should not be used where oil, grease, coal dust, or other combustible materials are present due to the high risk of ignition and fire. These substances can easily catch fire when exposed to the intense heat generated by welding or cutting processes. The flames and sparks produced can not only ignite these materials but can also cause fires to spread quickly in environments filled with flammable substances. Proper safety protocols necessitate that work involving open flames or high-heat tools be conducted in controlled and safe environments where such hazards are eliminated.

Other environments may pose risks, but the presence of combustible materials is particularly critical since it creates a direct and immediate fire hazard. For example, while open flames can indeed be dangerous, they are part of the operation and not a specific item to avoid in all cases. Ventilation ducts can pose a risk due to confined spaces, but the absence of combustible materials is a more pressing safety concern. Wet surfaces can lead to slips and electrical hazards, but they do not usually create combustion risks unless in combination with flammable materials. Thus, avoiding areas where there are combustible materials is of utmost importance to ensure safety during welding and torch operations.