Wrapping the ground lead around the body

[shanham67]

Most welding safety literature states that one should never wrap the ground lead around the body when welding. Can anyone explain or link to an explanation of the specific hazard involved here?

Thanks

[Marc]

Simple. If the connection to ground develops resistance, the welding current could seek a path through the insulation and through your body to ground.

Also an OSHA regulation: 1910.254(d)(8) Electric shock. Cables with splices within 10 feet (3 m) of the holder shall not be used. The welder should not coil or loop welding electrode cable around parts of his body.

The secondary voltage potential is the highest when you are not actively welding (no arc established). If you were to touch the rod, wire, or TIG electrode, it'd possible that it could be high enough to "jump" both your glove and the insulation on the ground cable, resulting in current through your body. As little as 50 milliamps can be fatal if it passes through the heart.

[Piledriver]

...This is especially fun with HF start TIG, no direct contact required.

When OSHA has a rule, typically it didn't just pop into someones head at a meeting.

...Almost surely, several>many people gave their lives demonstrating it was a Really Bad Idea.

[fusername]

yeap. also electrical dangers aside, those cables on a site can get yanke and caught by things and take you for a ride, or you can fall from wierd welding perch and be a bit twisted out of shape. Also I wonder if a shorted arc and a failed saftey on the machine could generate enough power to warm up that 00 guage cable? Unless its gas powered I would assume no BUT even a 1 in a million chance happens a couple times a month with enough welders out in the field.