When welding with oxygen and acetylene, what is the main safety concern?

When welding with oxygen and acetylene, the main safety concern is fire risk due to the highly flammable nature of acetylene when mixed with oxygen. This gas combination creates an extremely high temperature flame used for cutting and welding metals, but it also poses a significant danger if not handled properly.

Acetylene itself can ignite easily in the presence of an ignition source, and if any leaks occur in the gas lines or equipment, the risk of fire increases considerably. Proper ventilation, usage of flashback arrestors, and ensuring that regulators and hoses are in good condition are vital safety measures to mitigate this risk.

While other concerns like heat exposure, fume generation, and noise levels are relevant in a welding environment, they are secondary to the immediate and catastrophic danger that fire represents when using flammable gases. Thus, fire risk stands out as the foremost safety issue in the context of oxygen and acetylene welding.