Welding/Torchcutting Shades              [additional information]
DO NOT CHECK THE BOX FOR "SHADES" SECTION IF YOU DO NOT WELD OR USE A CUTTING OR BRAZING TORCH.  IF YOU CHECK THE BOX IN SPITE OF NOT DOING THIS KIND OF WORK, IT WILL BE TAKEN TO MEAN THAT YOU DID NOT READ THIS PAGE BEFORE CHECKING THE BOX.

whennec.bmp (334 bytes) Shades in the form of goggles, hand-held shields, or helmets are necessary when you are welding, brazing, or torch-cutting, or when such work is being performed near you.   These operations produce EyecupAndHelmet.bmp (115494 bytes)radiation of wavelengths and intensities that can seriously damage the eyes.
whatnec.bmp (402 bytes) See the two tables reproduced below for protection recommended and shade values.  The hazard assessment for your welding, brazing, or torchcutting operation should prescribe the combination of filter lenses, headgear, and impact goggles/sidesheilds/glasses that will be necessary for your overall eye/face/head protection from heat, fire, and sparks or other flying objects.
dondoff.bmp (538 bytes)  Helmet or goggles have been donned properly when they are comfortably situated on head and face in a position that prevents the possibility of exposure of the eyes to the radiant energy emitted by the process.  Visually inspect the PPE for damage (cracks, scratches, torn or worn elastic band) before use and after removal.  Do not use eyewear with defects or weaknesses.  If it is necessary to lift your helmet in the presence of a flame or arc, use a hand-held shade filter to cover your eyes.
limitations.bmp (266 bytes)   Filter lenses will only protect your eyes if you use the proper minimum shade and if you only view the radiant energy source through the filter.   Keep your eyes covered.
careetc.bmp (742 bytes)  Read manufacturer's instructions for care and maintenance, and keep items clean.  Store in a protected, dry, temperate location to protect from damage.  Hanging goggles from their elastic band will cause unnecessary wear on the band, causing it to loose its elasticity and fail.
   
Tables reproduced from Purdue PPE Policy, Appendix C.
Notes:
  3.  Face shields should only be worn over primary eye protection (spectacles or goggles).
  4. As required by the standard, filter lenses must meet the requirements for shade designations in 1910.133(a)(5). Tinted and shaded lenses are not filter lenses, unless they are marked or identified as such.
  9.  Welding helmets or faceshields should be used only over primary eye protection (spectacles or goggles).
10.  Non-sideshield spectacles are available for frontal protection only, but are not acceptable eye protection for the sources and operations listed for "impact."
12.  Protection from light radiation is directly related to filter lens density. See note (4). Select the darkest shade that allows task performance.
Source Assessment
of Hazard		 Protection

Welding: electric arc

Optical radiation Welding helmets or welding shields. Typical shades: 10-14.  See notes (9), (12).
Welding: gas Optical radiation Welding goggles or welding face shield. Typical shades: gas welding: 4-8, cutting 3-6, brazing 3-4. See note (9).
Cutting, torch brazing, torch soldering Optical radiation Spectacles or welding face shield. Typical shades: 1.5-3.  See notes (3), (9).
Glare Poor vision Spectacles with shaded or special-purpose lenses, as suitable. See notes (9), (10).
OPERATIONS ELECTRODE SIZE
1/32 IN. 		ARC CURRENT MINIMUM* PROTECTIVE SHADE
Shielded metal arc welding Less than 3 Less than 60 7
3-5 60-160 8
5-8 160-250 10
More than 8 250-550 11
Gas metal arc welding and flux cored arc welding   Less than 60 7
  60-160 10
  160-250 10
  250-500 10
Gas tungsten arc welding   Less than 50 8
  50-150 8
  150-500 10
Air carbon (Light) Less than 500 10
Arc cutting (Heavy) 500-1000 11
Plasma arc welding   Less than 20 6
  20-100 8
  100-400 10
  400-800 11
Plasma arc cutting (Light)**   Less than 300 8
(Medium)** 300-400 9
(Heavy)** 400-800 10
Torch brazing     3
Torch soldering     2
Carbon arc welding     14
Gas welding: Light Under 1/8   Under 3.2 4
Medium 1/8 to 1/2 3.2 to 12.7 5
Heavy Over 1/2 Over 12.7 6
Oxygen cutting: Light Under 1   Under 25 3
Medium 1 to 6 25 to 150 4
Heavy Over 6 Over 150 5

Radiation -- ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation are produced in welding, brazing, and/or torchcutting processes.   These are not ionizing radiation (as are X-rays and the gamma, beta, alpha emissions of many radioactive materials), and they and do not present the same hazards.  But UV, IR and visible wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation are indeed radiation in every sense of the word.  They are commonly refered to as radiant energy in safety documents pertaining to welding, brazing, and torchcutting.