Welding Hazards and Precautions
Safe procedures and practices must always be used when working around or with arc welding equipment to avoid being injured.
The 5 Most Common Welding Hazards
Avoid the following hazards in arc welding:
- radiation from the arc, in the form of ultraviolet and infrared rays
- flying sparks and globules of molten metal
- electric shock
- metal fumes
- burns
Radiation
Radiation from the arc is hazardous to the eyes. Eyes should be protected from radiation from the arc by use of an arc welding helmet or face shield with approved lenses.
- Cover the face, hands, arms, and other skin surfaces to prevent exposure to the radiation.
- Gloves should be worn and other parts of the body covered by clothing of sufficient weight to shut out the rays of the arc.
- Without proper clothing, burns comparable to sunburn will result.
Arc Flash
When possible, shield arc-welding operations so no one may accidentally look directly at the arc or have it shine or reflect into his or her eyes.
- An arc "flash" may cause a person to be temporarily blinded.
- The severity of an arc flash and the time it will take to recover varies with the length of time a person was exposed to the arc.
- Long exposure has been known to cause permanent damage to the retina of the eye.
- If someone is severely "flashed," medical personnel should provide special treatment at once.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-4. When welding, what can cause permanent damage to the retina of the eye?
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