Over the years since the introduction of electronic helmets, there has been much discussion on this MetalWork forum and other forums about welders shields and welders flash.

For those new people to welding, and welding safety I feel compelled to point out there is a lot of misleading information promoted as fact by people who regurgitate half truths from other forums, u tube and other net media.

The gist of it all, is that cheaper helmets may cause users to suffer UV damage to their eyes from harmful UV welding emissions that pass through the clear lens of the welding shield.

I am now attempting to put the record straight OK so don't shoot the messenger please.

My knowledge of UV safety is gained from my 51 years involvement in the welding industry /training as a tradesman, Welding Supervisor, and Inspector and as a Trade teacher.
To that, as a Australian Welding Institute committee Branch Officer in Gladstone and Darwin which meant association with a few of the people who helped prepare some Australian NZ Standards. These are and were trained personnel whose extensive expertise in the subject of the applicable standard in this case welding UV emissions and safety warrented inclusion on the various commitees and panels.

Fact 1.
Clear disposable welding shield lenses(once glass and now plastic ) have been used in welding shields both old non-electronic and the more recent electronic versions. It’s a given that the clear disposable lens is common to both types of shields.

From my personal knowledge, the disposable lenses have never been indicated as a cause/or involved with any critical UV eye damage to Industrial welders if they are used as they are supposed to be used.

For the benefit of overseas readers the industry contributes to the formation through nominated members to the panels which are formed to publish the Australian Standards.
Other countries have similar bodies, so any evidence found would be naturally passed on to the Australian SSA body as the International standards organisations act cooperatively.

The Australian Welding Industry, as a group of industrial manufacturers of all welded products would never expose its workers to any hazard of this nature and would be quick to act upon any hazard of this nature. They are linked closely with the SAA the standards Association of Australia and New Zealand.

Fact 2
The S.A.A body and the sister bodies overseas are not like to make an error of that magnitude. Bear in mind these standards are updated with new copies and addendums on a very regular basis so if a problem arose it would be covered.
Before that happened an immediate alert would go around the industries and the Work Health and Safety bodies would broadcast the hazard alert to the industry concerned .

Fact 3.
Forever( almost) the Standard has been clear safety glasses for people working close to the welders. Some will reply that many industries don’t push this. That is true but for those that that do people wearing cleaner safety glasses( with side shields) do not suffer flashes.

Fact 4
Welder’s flash is an eye condition that occurs from intense exposure to ultraviolet rays from the electrical arc that wielding machines emit. Welder’s flash is similar to a sunburn on the skin, but it affects the corneas of the eyes. Pain does not usually present itself until several hours after exposure. Symptoms include weeping of the tear duct, a gritty feeling in the eye socket and a general feeling of eye pain.

Fact 5
Some cannot distinguish between a welders flash and a momentary loss of vision. It happens to me when I put the shield for a few minutes it will switch off automatically. I come back after a while and forget to turn it back on. OOps ! I receive a momentary loss of vision NOT A FLASH. I have never suffered a welders flash because of this, just a loss of vision for a few moments.


Fact 6
I asked my Ophthalmologist opinion on welding flashes and clear lenses. His answer was that welders flashes affect the NAKED eye.

As a doctor who commonly treats these UV injuries, he would know, I should think.

Fact 7
OHSA recommends
“For most jobs, eye protection that conforms to ANSI Z87.1 is sufficient. However, shields or goggles with shade ratings of 3-8 should be worn for gas welding. For arc welding, safety glasses should be worn under shields.”

Note ANSI Z877.1.Thats treated an international standard. It should appear on new shields sold in this country. Sheilds with this marking must comply with that standard or they would not be sold here or overseas.

You will also see the statement that the shield stops 99% of harmful radiation.
In makes sense then that the clear safety glass under the shield stop the remaining 1%.


In a nutshell.

You cant receive welders flash if you USE the correct PPE gear as described above.

You MIGHT receive a flash if your shield is up and your accidently touch the electrode to earth and cause an arc and you are NOT wearing Safety clear glasses under your shield.

For those who say but my sore eyes and get gritty, I say it is not welders flash unless you have a hole in your shield.

My eyes are sore and gritty now that its taken so long to write this.

I hope this will help someone.

Grahame


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