Welders everywhere face a danger that could impair them for life – flash burns from welding. Every year, over 300,000 welders experience some form of a flash burn from welding.
Of that 300,000, 10% require medical attention for something called arc eye, or “welders’ eye”. Arc eye is a painful, yet temporary eye disorder caused by the UV rays emitted during welding, and can last up to 7 days. Despite being painful, many welders don’t know how to properly prevent it, or even how it manifests.
To answer these questions, this article will explore what flash burn from welding is, the damage it can cause, and most importantly, how to prevent it. We’ll also examine the use of welding face shields and safety goggles to protect welders from the intense UV rays emitted during welding, as well as the advantages of using these critical products. So let’s dive in and find out exactly what flash burn from welding is, and how welders can stay protected.
What is Flash Burn From Welding?
Welding is a process that creates strong bonds between two materials by melting them together.It is used to join metal components and to repair items made of metal such as pipes, pressure vessels, and other components. Welding is an important skill and it’s a prerequisite for many industrial jobs such as shipbuilding, automotive repair, military operations and more. While it can be a safe process when done properly, there are some risks that one should be aware of.
One of the most common welding hazards is flash burn from welding.
What Causes Flash Burn?
Flash burn from welding is a serious risk of ultraviolet radiation or UV radiation that can cause severe burns to the skin and eyes even with only a brief exposure. It is caused by the bright light of the welding arc that is created when an electric welding machine is used. The intense ultraviolet radiation contained in the welding arc can cause severe lesion to the skin, and if it is held for too long it can also cause deep burns.
It is also possible for the radiation to cause permanent damage to the eyes and vision if safety precautions are not taken.
How To Prevent Flash Burn?
Fortunately, there are measures that can be taken to protect oneself from flash burns.Wearing the proper clothing is essential and will help to minimize exposure to both the weld and the heat produced by it. Besides, welding helmets and other protective face-shields should always be used to protect the eyes.
Lastly, making sure that the work area is well-ventilated can help to reduce the concentration of vapours and fumes, as well as minimising the amount of UV radiation that is emitted by the arc.