Accurate Control of Welding Gases

Unique solution developed for marine industry - identity code lock for couplings prevents uncontrolled release of sensitive gases. Every safety engineer knows accidents can happen any time when unsupervised subcontractors or unqualified workers weld or work with combustible gases. A simple metal chip - only about as big as a coin - promises greater safety when installed between the coupling and gas hose. The new quick coupling with identity code lock from WITT-GASETECHNIK, Germany, prevents the improper removal of fuel and oxygen from cylinders in a simple, yet effective way.

This new technology was developed especially for the marine industry. In the past, workers could not accurately control the flow of acetylene and oxygen when welding a ship's hull, leading to deadly explosions. To combat such accidents, a new safety regulation for handling gases now applies to shipyards in some countries. Under this code, gas hoses must be visibly isolated or completely removed from supplies when work is interrupted. Businesses can easily comply by using the new "Make sure" chip. Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft in Kiel, one of the largest European shipping yards, has already begun to refit all of its gas line connections with the coupling lock from WITT. The identity code lock is flat ring, about 5 cm wide, with three pegs the welder must insert when connecting the coupling and hose. The pegs are pushed into the coupling and allow the flow of gas. Without the chip, the coupling is blocked and gas cannot flow.