Welding is essential in various industries, from construction and manufacturing to the automotive sector.
Despite its importance, welding carries significant risks, particularly to the eyes.
This blog explores how welding can harm your eyes and provides detailed guidance on how to protect your vision while performing this critical work.
Let’s get straight to the point
Welding poses significant risks to eye health due to intense UV and IR radiation, leading to conditions like photokeratitis, arc eye, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
Proper protective gear, including welding helmets and safety goggles that meet Australian standards, is essential.
Maintaining safe distances, using shields, and regular eye exams are crucial for long-term eye protection. Training and dispelling myths about welding safety are vital to prevent serious, potentially permanent eye injuries.
The Dangers of Welding for Eye Health
Welding involves the emission of intense light, including ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation, which can pose severe risks to eye health.
The welding arc, the most intense source of this radiation, and the molten metal can cause immediate and long-term damage to the eyes.
Understanding these risks is crucial for anyone involved in welding or working near welding activities.
Immediate Risks: Photokeratitis and Arc Eye
One of the most common eye injuries from exposure to welding arcs is photokeratitis, also known as “welder’s flash” or “arc eye.”
This condition occurs when the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, is exposed to high levels of UV radiation, leading to sunburn on the eye. Symptoms of photokeratitis can include:
- Severe eye pain that can range from discomfort to extreme pain
- Redness and swelling of the eyes
- Blurry vision and sensitivity to light
- Watery eyes and a sensation of having sand or grit in the eyes
These symptoms typically appear several hours after exposure and can last a few days. While photokeratitis is usually temporary, the condition is extremely painful and can make even the simplest tasks challenging. Repeated exposure without proper protection can lead to more severe conditions.
Another immediate risk associated with welding is arc eye, an inflammation of the cornea caused by UV radiation.
Arc eye symptoms resemble photokeratitis, including red, swollen eyes and a burning sensation. The risk of developing an arc eye increases with the light’s intensity and exposure duration.
Welders who do not use adequate eye protection are particularly susceptible to this condition, which, while treatable, can cause significant discomfort and potentially lead to more serious eye issues if not addressed promptly.
Long-Term Risks: Cataracts and Macular Degeneration
Long-term exposure to the harmful effects of UV and IR radiation can lead to serious, irreversible eye conditions.
One of the most significant risks is the development of cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens that gradually leads to blurred vision and, eventually, blindness if left untreated.
Cataracts are the leading cause of vision impairment worldwide, and welding-related exposure to UV radiation is a significant contributing factor.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 20% of cataract cases are directly related to UV exposure, a risk that can be greatly minimised with proper protective measures.
Another major concern for welders is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision.
AMD is a leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 60, and research has shown that prolonged UV exposure is a significant risk factor.
While AMD primarily affects older adults, the damage begins earlier in life, making it crucial for younger welders to take precautions.
Unlike photokeratitis, the vision loss caused by AMD is permanent and cannot be reversed, highlighting the importance of early prevention through the consistent use of protective gear.
Identifying Common Causes of Eye Injuries in Welding
The risks to eye health in welding are not limited to direct exposure to the welding arc. Indirect exposure to UV rays, reflections from nearby surfaces, and debris from pre- and post-welding processes also contribute to the danger.
Activities such as grinding, brushing, and chipping can produce flying particles that are hazardous to the eyes.
These particles can cause mechanical injuries, while the intense light from the welding arc can still reach the eyes, even if the worker is not directly looking at it.
In many welding environments, reflective surfaces like metal or concrete can bounce UV rays, increasing the risk of indirect exposure. This makes it essential for all personnel in the vicinity, not just those welding, to wear proper eye protection.
The cumulative effect of this exposure can lead to serious eye conditions over time, even if the individual exposures are brief.
Preventative Measures and Protective Gear
Given the significant risks associated with welding, taking preventive measures is critical. Proper protective gear is the first line of defence against eye injuries. Here are the key components of effective eye protection for welders:
Welding Helmets and Goggles
Welding helmets are crucial for shielding against harmful UV and IR radiation. Modern helmets with auto-darkening filters adjust automatically to light intensity, ensuring constant eye protection. It is essential to choose a helmet that meets the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1337.1.
However, a helmet alone isn’t enough. Safety goggles or UV-protective glasses should be worn under the helmet, especially when lifting it for tasks like grinding or inspecting.
These should also meet the AS/NZS standards and block 100% UV rays. For those wearing prescription glasses, ensure your goggles fit comfortably over them.
Maintaining Safe Distances and Using Shields
Keep a safe distance from the arc to avoid UV exposure, even if you’re not welding. If distance isn’t possible, use welding curtains or shields to protect against harmful rays.
Cover or treat reflective surfaces to minimise indirect exposure, especially in busy workspaces operating with multiple welders.
Eye Examinations and Monitoring
Regular eye examinations are crucial for welders to monitor vision changes and detect early signs of damage.
These check-ups should be scheduled at least annually and more frequently if any eye strain or discomfort symptoms develop.
Early detection of conditions like cataracts or AMD allows for timely intervention, significantly reducing the risk of severe vision impairment.
The Role of Training and Awareness
Education plays a pivotal role in preventing eye injuries among welders. Comprehensive training programs should be mandatory for all welding personnel, covering the following key areas:
- Proper Selection and Use of PPE: Training should include detailed instructions on selecting the right protective gear for specific welding tasks and how to use it effectively. This includes understanding the lens shades required for welding techniques and ensuring that all PPE meets safety standards.
- First Aid for Eye Injuries: Welders should be trained in basic first aid for eye injuries, including responding to photokeratitis, foreign object removal, and chemical burns. Quick and appropriate responses can prevent minor injuries from becoming serious.
- Safety Drills and Refreshers: Regular safety drills and refresher courses help reinforce safe practices and keep welders up-to-date with the latest safety protocols. These sessions should also include updates on new protective equipment and techniques.
Common Myths and Misconceptions in Welding Eye Safety
Despite the availability of protective gear and training, several myths about welding and eye safety persist. It’s important to dispel these misconceptions to ensure welders take the necessary precautions:
- Myth: Ordinary glasses can protect against welding arc damage.
- Fact: Regular glasses do not provide sufficient protection against the intense UV and IR radiation produced during welding. Only specialised safety goggles or helmets with appropriate filters can offer the necessary protection.
- Myth: Welder’s flash is just a minor issue.
- Fact: Welder’s flash is a serious condition that can cause intense pain, temporary blindness, and, if untreated, lead to infections and more permanent damage. It should be treated with the same urgency as any other eye injury.
- Myth: Welding fumes are harmless to the eyes.
- Fact: Welding fumes can cause chemical burns and irritation to the eyes. Proper ventilation, along with the use of safety goggles, is essential to protect against these hazards.
- Myth: Darker lenses mean better protection.
- Fact: The darkness of a lens does not correlate with its ability to block UV rays. Protective lenses must be rated for UV protection, regardless of their shade.
Conclusion
Welding is inherently dangerous for the eyes, but the risks can be significantly reduced with the right precautions.
Wearing ANSI-compliant helmets and goggles, maintaining a safe distance from the welding arc, and participating in regular safety training are all essential to protecting your vision.
By prioritising eye safety, welders can continue to perform their vital work without compromising their long-term health.
It is crucial to recognise that ignoring the risks or failing to wear proper protective equipment can lead to irreversible damage, including blindness.
Therefore, every welder should wear the necessary protective gear, maintain their equipment, and stay informed about the latest safety practices.
