Laser Cut Galvanized Steel
Safety is Important when Working with Laser Cut Galvanized Steel
Safety in the workplace is always a concern for companies, especially those dealing with high-powered and high-temperature cutting tools. While human error is the most likely cause of injury, there is also a risk of contaminates at many factories, and strict standards must be put in place for even the most cutting-edge techniques and materials like laser cut galvanized steel.
In order to cut galvanized steel safely, it is important to make sure that the material is free of defects, especially rust and that it is secured in place properly. Luckily, using a computer for laser cut metal reduces human error and consequently, human injury greatly. That doesn’t mean the computer can be ignored though. Once the cutting begins, the high temperature melts the metal. That, in turn, releases gases into the air. If breathed in over a long enough period of time, these gases can cause Metal Fume Fever. Most professional laser cutting services have safety precautions in place to prevent this. Using a computer-controlled laser to cut metal alone reduces the risk of breathing these fumes compared to a hand-held plasma cutter, because the controller does not need to be too close to the cutting surface where the gases are emitted. Also, lasers often have a gas jet that blows the molten metal and consequently, the fumes it creates, away from the material and cutter. Even so, most factories require laser cutting areas to be fully ventilated and to have space enough for the fumes to dissipate so they are harmless to whomever is controlling the laser cutter.
Laser cut galvanized steel is popular right now because of trending items like lasercut decorative screens, but that doesn’t mean businesses should take the risk of not properly prepping laser cutting areas to meet safety standards. Be sure that the area is properly ventilated, so this cutting-edge technique can make money without hurting workers.