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In arc welding one lead is considered the ground and it attached to the work. The other is the "hot" lead and usually attached to the hand held electrode or wire. However, the leads are often interchanged and in the case of DC-reverse the circuit IS reversed in the welder. In AC welding the ground is usally grounded to the case and thus is often attached to steel building members, pipes and conduits. Care should be taken that the ground path goes to the welder lead, NOT the building ground through some secondary path. The secondary path could also be through the housing of an electric tool sitting on your welding bench or touching the work. That secondary path is not designed to take the amperage of the welding circuit and could result in burning out the tool or the wiring it is attached to. Secondary paths can also be through the weldor. Bare handed welding, welding with damp gloves or wet feet or lying on the ground can result electrical shocks. If there is a fault in the welder the shock can be full supply circuit voltage and injure the welder. Keep safe, wear gloves, understand ground paths and keep that ground clamp clean and tight on the work.