Which hazards are produced by plasma arc cutting?

Which hazards are produced by plasma arc cutting?

• A. Uses electrical current that produces heat, light radiation, fumes and sparks
• B. Produces no heat or radiation
• C. Produces only water vapor
• D. Produces magnetic fields only

Answer: (A)

Plasma arc cutting creates an electrical arc that delivers very high heat and bright radiation, along with fumes and sparks. The intense heat is what melts and vaporizes metal, which is a central hazard and a key reason this process is dangerous. The arc’s light and radiation—visible and non‑visible parts of the spectrum—can injure eyes and skin if proper protection isn’t used. Fumes come from the molten metal and any coatings, producing hazardous gases that can affect breathing, so good ventilation is important. Sparks and molten droplets can burn skin or ignite nearby flammable materials. The other descriptions ignore these real hazards: there is heat and radiation, not none; there isn’t only water vapor; and magnetic fields aren’t the primary concern here.

Plasma arc cutting creates an electrical arc that delivers very high heat and bright radiation, along with fumes and sparks. The intense heat is what melts and vaporizes metal, which is a central hazard and a key reason this process is dangerous. The arc’s light and radiation—visible and non‑visible parts of the spectrum—can injure eyes and skin if proper protection isn’t used. Fumes come from the molten metal and any coatings, producing hazardous gases that can affect breathing, so good ventilation is important. Sparks and molten droplets can burn skin or ignite nearby flammable materials. The other descriptions ignore these real hazards: there is heat and radiation, not none; there isn’t only water vapor; and magnetic fields aren’t the primary concern here.