Protective eyewear, such as welding glasses or goggles, shields welders’ eyes from harmful UV, heat, or infrared rays, as well as flying debris, during welding and cutting operations. Welder’s flash, also called photokeratitis, is a severe corneal burn that can occur if you aren’t careful. Protecting your eyes from the harmful effects of welding and cutting is possible with the help of welding glasses. However, you can’t use them for actual arc welding.
Read the following information below to know more or you may also check out welder glasses.
Why Is It Necessary For A Welder To Use Welding Glasses?
A welder must use welding glasses or a welding helmet to protect their eyes from the intense light, heat, and radiation produced by the welding process.
Welding produces a bright and intense arc of light that emits harmful ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation, which can cause damage to the eyes. Prolonged exposure to this type of radiation can lead to temporary or permanent vision loss, cataracts, and other eye-related health issues.
Welding glasses or a welding helmet are designed to shield the welder’s eyes and face from this harmful radiation and other hazards such as sparks, debris, and chemicals. The lens of the welding glasses or helmet is made of a specialized filter that reduces the intensity of the light and filters out harmful radiation.
By wearing welding glasses or a welding helmet, welders can protect their eyes and ensure that they can continue to work safely and effectively. It’s important to use the appropriate type of glasses or helmet for the specific welding process being performed and to follow the recommended shade levels to ensure adequate protection for the eyes.
What Type Of Glasses Do Welders Use?
Welders typically use specialized glasses called welding helmets or welding goggles. These glasses are designed to protect the welder’s eyes from the bright and intense light produced by the welding process, as well as from flying debris and sparks.
Welding helmets are larger and more comprehensive than welding goggles, providing full coverage of the head, neck, and face. They typically have an adjustable shade level, allowing the welder to select the appropriate level of darkness for the welding job. Some advanced welding helmets also come with features like auto-darkening lenses, which adjust the shade level automatically depending on the intensity of the light produced by the welding process.
Welding goggles, on the other hand, are smaller and provide limited coverage of the eyes and surrounding areas. They are typically used for lighter welding jobs or for tasks that require more precision and maneuverability.
What Lens Is Recommended For Welding?
The recommended lens for welding depends on the type of welding being performed and the level of protection required. The lens should be dark enough to protect the welder’s eyes from the intense light and radiation produced by the welding process.
The shade level of the lens is typically indicated by a number, with higher numbers indicating a darker shade. The American Welding Society (AWS) provides guidelines for selecting the appropriate shade level based on the welding process and the welding amperage.
For example, for shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) or stick welding, a shade level of 10-14 is recommended, depending on the amperage being used. For gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) or tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, a shade level of 8-13 is recommended, depending on the amperage. For gas metal arc welding (GMAW) or metal inert gas (MIG) welding, a shade level of 10-14 is recommended, depending on the amperage.
It’s important to follow the recommended shade level for the welding process and amperage to ensure adequate protection for the welder’s eyes. Additionally, some welding helmets or goggles come with adjustable shade levels or auto-darkening lenses that adjust the shade level automatically based on the intensity of the light produced by the welding process.
Do Welding Glasses Block UV?
Yes, welding glasses are designed to block ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is emitted during the welding process.
Welding produces a high-intensity arc of light that emits UV radiation, which can be harmful to the eyes and skin if not properly protected. The lens of welding glasses is made of a specialized filter that blocks UV radiation, as well as infrared (IR) radiation and visible light.
The shade level of the lens determines how much light and radiation the glasses block. The American Welding Society (AWS) provides guidelines for selecting the appropriate shade level for the welding process being performed and the welding amperage.
Welding glasses with a shade level of 10 or higher are recommended for most welding processes to block harmful UV and IR radiation. Some welding glasses also come with additional features, such as polarized lenses, anti-fog coatings, and scratch-resistant coatings, to provide additional comfort and protection for the welder.
It’s important for welders to use welding glasses with the appropriate shade level and to wear them at all times during the welding process to protect their eyes from harmful radiation and other hazards.
What Color Welding Lens Is Best For Your Eyes?
The colour of the welding lens does not necessarily determine its effectiveness in protecting the welder’s eyes. The shade level of the lens is more important in determining the level of protection provided.
The recommended shade level of the welding lens depends on the welding process being performed and the welding amperage. The American Welding Society (AWS) provides guidelines for selecting the appropriate shade level for each welding process.
For example, for shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) or stick welding, a shade level of 10-14 is recommended, depending on the amperage being used. For gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) or tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, a shade level of 8-13 is recommended, depending on the amperage. For gas metal arc welding (GMAW) or metal inert gas (MIG) welding, a shade level of 10-14 is recommended, depending on the amperage.
The shade level of the lens determines how much light and radiation the glasses block. The higher the shade level, the darker the lens and the more protection it provides. Some advanced welding helmets also come with features like auto-darkening lenses, which adjust the shade level automatically depending on the intensity of the light produced by the welding process.
It’s important to follow the recommended shade level for the welding process and amperage to ensure adequate protection for the welder’s eyes. Additionally, some welding glasses or helmets come with additional features like anti-fog coatings, scratch-resistant coatings, and polarized lenses to provide additional comfort and protection for the welder’s eyes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, wearing welding glasses or a welding helmet is essential for protecting the welder’s eyes from the intense light, heat, and radiation produced during the welding process. The lens of the welding glasses or helmet is designed to filter out harmful ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation, and the recommended shade level of the lens depends on the welding process being performed and the welding amperage.
It’s important to use the appropriate type of glasses or helmet for the specific welding process being performed and to follow the recommended shade levels to ensure adequate protection for the eyes. By wearing welding glasses or a welding helmet, welders can work safely and effectively, reducing the risk of eye-related health issues and injuries.