Grounding - wet soil

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Hi, just getting back into stick welding.This may be a good candidate for the dumb question thread, BUT;It's fence building time, and looks like the rains will be starting early (hooray, we got an inch yesterday!)Anyway, regarding basic safety for the conditions: when the ground is moist after rains, do I stand a chance of getting knocked on my *** due to electrical shock? To clarify, I'm talking wet ground, not slopping wet and during rain (I ain't THAT crazy).Any thoughts?Great to be here, been reading interesting threads and seeing some cool projects.Thanks in advance for any replies! - tj------------------------------------------------------------Current project: 1000' well stem H brace and corners, t-posts and high tensile barbed wire fencing for cattle, along a SR so it's gotta be strong and look good.
Reply:people weld while touching and even standing on the metal they are welding all the time. The path of least resistance is from the electrode to the metal to the clamp. Wear rubber boots if it makes you feel better.
Reply:Worst shock i ever got...was on top of a boiler, very sweaty, kneeling on metal boiler roof, gloves damp with sweat, stuck a rod in the stinger and got the snot knocked out of me! And that was with a DC welder. My understanding is that an AC welder is even worse. So, if you are wet and get between the leads, yes, you can get shocked. Rubber boots and dry gloves are a good idea. You might want to keep a pair of work gloves for handling the fence and a dry pair that you keep just for welding.
Reply:Old Indian trick for welding in the wet--------snag a pair of your brides dishwashing gloves  and wear them under your welding gloves.6 Miller Big Blue 600 Air Paks2 Miller 400D6 Lincoln LN-25's4 Miller Xtreme 12VS2 Miller Dimension 812 4 Climax BW-3000Z bore welders Hypertherm 65 and 85Bug-O Track BugPair of Welpers
Reply:Originally Posted by ExpatWelderOld Indian trick for welding in the wet--------snag a pair of your brides dishwashing gloves  and wear them under your welding gloves.
Reply:The old guy that instructed my basic welding course worked at a DuPont plant.He explained that he once had to weld in a room that was flooded and had about 5-6" of standing water.  Before he went to do the job he consulted with who he figured was the smartest electrician in the plant.The electrician told him he would be find but to keep his hands close to his body.  He did the job and had no problems."These instructions are at our present level ofknowledge. Legal requirements do not exist.Technical issues subject to change."_________________________________________Lincoln MIG PAK 180Lincoln AC-225
Reply:Broccoli;   indians rubbed  3 sticks together  all they had was 3 phase back thenidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Indians had welders?
Reply:Don't kneel down to weld any spots either.  It will go through your jeans and bite you.  Not that I know anything about that.  My trick is to grab one of those thick rubber floor mats out of the truck and kneel on it!
Reply:The only time I have been shocked was when electrode holder had a unnoticed before then crack in it.  Wet gloves hanging on kneeling in 6" of water actually welding through a stream of water to stop a leak.  Got the job done by wrapping plastic bag around holder, then putting hand inside another bag.  Did it one time when was bracing myself in position to weld then placed electrode against thumb web of support hand instead of striking arc.
Reply:DC / Dry Gloves / Avoid body contact with any grounded part .
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Indians had welders?
Reply:Thank you all for the information. Welding with confidence! - tj
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Indians had welders?
Reply:A heavy rubber truck mud flap to stand on while welding on damp wet ground. That's what I use________________________________Everlast PA140STEverlast PowerPlasma 50And no you can't Borrow them
Reply:Shock is the worst thing to experience, electricity and water dont ryme, the right dressing code will do.  Get the right dressing code before embarking on your duties.Professional seo servicesPet insuranceCash for gold