As with any industry, working with different types of tools and equipment poses risk to the employees. Thus, it’s imperative to follow safety instructions specific to the tool you’re utilizing. Here at Waveroom Plus, we sell several versions of the soldering iron to several different industries. Therefore we thought it may be helpful to publish a general guideline on safety when working with this type of equipment. Here’s a quick summary of a helpful article written by the University of Cambridge regarding soldering safety.
Soldering Iron
- Never touch the element of the soldering iron due to extremely high temperatures.
- Hold wires to be headed with tweezer or clamps.
- Keep the cleaning sponge wet during use.
- Always return the soldering iron to its stand when not in use.
- When not in use, turn the unit off and unplug it.
Solder, Flux, and Cleaners
- Wear eye protection.
- Use rosin-free and lead-free solder wherever possible.
- Keep cleaning solvents in dispensing bottles.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water after soldering.
Electrical Safety
- Do not use soldering irons that have damage to the body, cable, or plug.
- All equipment should have electrical safety (PAT) testing within the last twelve months.
- Keep your station free of electrical cables to prevent damage from the heated tip.
- Use a grounded outlet and grounding prong if a short circuit is a possibility.
Fire Prevention
- Work on a fire-proof or fire resistant surface.
- Wear fire resistant clothing that covers your arms and legs to prevent accidental burns.
- Locate your nearest fire extinguisher and become familiar with how to use it should it be needed.
Waste
- Collect waste solder in a lidded container. Replace the lid when not in use.
- Label appropriately and dispose of as hazardous waste.
- Used solder sponges and contaminated rags should be placed in a sealable bag for disposal as hazardous waste.
Lead Exposure
- Lead can give rise to serious chronic health effects. Exposure will primarily be through accidental ingestion from your skin.
- Wear gloves if directly handling solder.
Rosin Exposure
- Rosin is a resin contained in solder flux. Flux generates the visible fumes seen during soldering.
- Exposure to rosin can cause eye, throat, and lung irritation. As well as, nose bleeds and headaches.
- Repeated exposure can cause respiratory and skin sensitization.
For all of your soldering needs, visit Waveroom Plus. Providing our customers with state-of-the-art products since 1990, we pride ourselves on customer satisfaction. For more information give our team a call at 603.437.4651!
