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The US. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 10,800 eye Injuries related to welding equipment were treated in hospital emergency rooms in 1988 (the latest year for which Information is available). Electric arc welding equipment was the product most frequently involved in eye injuries. Many of those injured were bystanders who were watching someone else use welding equipment. Eye damage can happen quite a distance away from the welding and does not require much more than a second to occur. Most types of welding give off radiation that can burn the eye. The ultraviolet and infrared radiation given off from electric arc welding can cause painful and even more serious eye injuries. Such burns can be permanent and can threaten eyesight. |
When welding, both the person doing the welding and any bystanders should wear protective face shields with filtered glass for protection against the glare of the electric arc. Eye injuries from flying hot metal and slag particles may also be serious and need proper medical attention. Clear glass goggles or safety glasses with side shields should be worn under the face shield for protection immediately after welding when chipping with a hammer or brushing loose particles from the weld bead. All parts of the body should also be protected to prevent burns to other areas such as the neck, arms, body and legs. |
