Editing Plasma cutting (section)

==Safety==
[[File:Young female USCG welder - 150527-N-YD641-007 (19795162959).jpg|thumb|A technician wearing safety glasses while using a plasma cutter aboard the [[USS George Washington (CVN-73)|USS ''George Washington'']]]]
Proper eye protection and face shields are needed to prevent eye damage called [[arc eye]] as well as damage from debris. It is recommended to use green lens shade #5. [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration|OSHA]] recommends a shade 8 for arc current less than 300 A, but notes that "These values apply where the actual arc is clearly seen. Experience has shown that lighter filters may be used when the arc is hidden by the workpiece."<ref>{{Cite web|title = Eye and face protection. - 1910.133|url = https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9778|website=osha.gov|access-date = 2015-09-27}}</ref> Lincoln Electric, a manufacturer of plasma cutting equipment, says, "Typically a darkness shade of #7 to #9 is acceptable." Longevity Global, Inc., another manufacturer, offers this more specific table for eye protection for plasma arc cutting at lower amperages:{{cn|date=February 2019}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Current !! Minimum shade
(ANSI Z87.1+)
|-
| 0–20 A || #4
|-
| 20–40 A || #5
|-
| 40–60 A || #6
|-
| 60–80 A || #8
|}

Leather gloves, an apron and a jacket are also recommended to prevent burns from sparks and hot metal.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Welding Clothing|url=https://www.1stopweldingshop.com/Catalogue/Safety-Fume-extraction/Welders-Leather-Protection|access-date=2021-03-16|website=AES Industrial Supplies Limited|language=en-GB}}</ref>

Working in a clean area free of flammable liquids, materials and gases is very important. Sparks and hot metal from a plasma cutter can quickly cause fires if they are not isolated from flammable objects. Plasma cutters can send hot sparks flying up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) away in certain situations. Machine operators are typically blind to any fire that has started because they are behind their face shields. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fabricationguy.com/beginners-guide/|title=How To Use A Plasma Cutter - A Comprehensive Beginners Guide}}</ref>