Metal-cored wire isn't suitable for all welding, but used in appropriate applications, the wire can help improve quality and reduce rework. Some industries best-suited to using metal-cored wire are automotive exhaust and chassis manufacturing, agricultural and heavy equipment manufacturing, and railcar fabrication. This article discusses the wire's properties and how to determine if it is suitable for your operation.

Compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] standards requires certain industries, including steel fabrication, to meet specific respiratory protection requirements. This Q and A article identifies affected industries and applications and discusses how to determine exposure and comply.

Appropriate warning signage is a critical component of industrial safety—often the last reminder regarding some aspect of safe machine operation. Labels have come a long way since "Keep Off" and "Keep Out." Various standards are having an impact on new labeling, making these messages more effective in risk reduction.

The prices of materials consumed in your welding shop aren't the only materials-related economic considerations. How you use those materials affects the bottom line. Monitoring compressed-gas usage and looking for areas of waste can improve your shop's financial picture. This article offers practical suggestions for reducing waste.