The most common type of injury for welders is an injury to their eyes. A full fourth of all welding injuries involve the eyes in some way. Avoiding eye injures while welding requires protecting them with the correct safety gear and following all necessary safety procedures.
For those new to welding, eye protection needs to become second nature. If you’ve been welding for quite some time, it never hurts to have a safety refresher. With that in mind, here are some of the best ways to avoid eye injuries while you weld.
Wear Proper Protection
The first and easiest way of avoiding eye injuries is to wear the proper protection at all times and during all tasks. That means wearing your helmet (auto-darkening or flip) when welding, adequate googles when plasma cutting and a full-face shield when grinding.
Goggles and safety glasses can even be worn under a welding helmet for added protection. There is evidence suggesting that this will protect your eyes from dust and other debris far better than your helmet alone due to their closer proximity to your eyes. Vapors, fumes, and chemicals that are given off during welding are also better shielded against with tight fitting goggles.
Make Certain Your Helmet Lens Protects Against Radiation
Everyone knows that welding exposes your eyes to extremely bright light given off by the arc, which can certainly do damage to your corneas if you look directly at it or your helmet shade isn’t dark enough. The injury is typically called ‘arc eye’ or ‘welders flash’ and can vary in severity.
However, what you can’t see is just as dangerous. While welding, your eyes are also exposed to infra-red and ultraviolet radiation. This radiation can cause your eyes to hurt, tear up, or even swell. Prolonged exposure over time can cause permanent vision damage as well.
To avoid this type of injury while welding, make certain the helmet you’re using darkens to the correct shade. Experts recommend a shade 10 filter at minimum, though if you’re welding a lot every day, you may want to go with a shade 13.
Play Out the Welding Space
It’s important to note that ultraviolet and infra-red radiation can harm others in the area, too, not just the welder. That’s because the ultraviolet radiation can reflect off of unpainted metal, concrete, and other shiny surfaces.
If you will be welding within 50 feet of others, you should install shielding curtains or ask others to wear eye protection as well. You also need to make certain that others nearby do know that you’re welding and are aware of the dangers that entails. They need to pay attention when entering the space and understand that the welder won’t be able to see them when their mask is down.
Maintain Your Safety Gear
Safety equipment that isn’t properly maintained can allow your eyes to be damaged. Any cracks in the lens or deep scratches will reduce their effectiveness.
Always check your safety gear regularly for damage and repair or replace anything that is not functioning as it should be or shows signs of wear. This check should also include cleaning. Don’t expect to making fantastic welds if you can’t see what you’re doing.
Auto-darkening helmets need to be fully tested to ensure that all of their sensors are functioning correctly and that the lens darkens as it should. The helmet should be tested regularly as well as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Go Through Proper Safety Training
People who weld as a part of their job typically go through safety training when learning. For the home user or hobbyist training resources are still available though.
You can find OSHA eye and face protection guidelines online at: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.102, and while most are geared towards working in a ‘field’ environment, many are applicable to welding at home as well.
Being Prepared for Eye Injuries
Some basic preparation can be the difference between a minor injury or permanent eye damage. Every garage or shop should have a properly stocked first aid kit in plain sight so you can treat injuries right away. Proper lighting (or at least a dedicated flashlight) and a mirror are critical as well.
Flash Burn / Arc Eye Injuries
Flash burn symptoms can appear between three and twelve hours after exposure. For minor burns, your corneas will actually be able to repair themselves within a couple of days. Dilating drops can be used to ease dis-comfort and allow the eyes to rest while they heal. During this period, contact lenses should not be worn as they may prolong the healing process.
More extreme cases of arc eye will require medical attention as infections can occur. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics as well as recommending you see an ophthalmologist for follow-up treatment.
Physical Debris Injuries
Physical debris entering the eye may not be noticeable at first and are often felt when laying down or sleeping. If your eyes are painful and red, avoid rubbing them. This can drag the debris around, causing it to cut into your corneas. Make sure your hands are clean, and then carefully examine the eye (in a well lit environment or with a flashlight).
Loose objects can be safely flushed with an eye-wash bottle. If you do find a foreign object that’s embedded, do not under any circumstances try to remove it! Again seek immediate medical attention.
Treatment and Prevention
Treatment for eye injuries varies based on the type of injury experienced. For minor debris or particles, the best method is usually an eye-wash station. As many won’t have plumbing run to their garage or workshop, eye-wash bottles are a good alternative.
Anything beyond minor particulates should be considered serious. It’s important to seek immediate medical attention for physical damage to the eye such as cuts or scratches. Blurred vision, glare or persistent pain can also be indicators of underlying damage. Failure to treat can lead to more severe damage or even be permanent.
Prevention of injuries while welding starts with the right mindset. That means always wearing your helmet or face shield no matter how quick the task at hand will be. It only takes a fraction of a second receive a flash burn or for flying debris to damage your vision. Why take the chance.
The vast number of welding related eye injuries that occur each year are avoidable and can be prevented. Maintain and wear your safety equipment, follow proper procedures and always have a first aid kit / eye-wash bottle close by. Following a few simple rules will keep you out of the emergency room and welding for many years to come.