Welder's Equipment & Clothing

True or False? Eye injury can occur from the intense light and radiation from a welding arc and from hot slag that can fly off from the weld during cooling, chipping or grinding. The answer is True.

Be sure to protect your eyes from welding light by wearing a welder’s helmet fitted with a filter shade that is suitable for the type of welding you are doing. ALWAYS wear safety glasses with side shields or goggles when chipping or grinding a work piece if you are not wearing a welding helmet.

Below are some components of eye protection for welders.

Eye protection is provided in an assembly of components:
Helmet shell – must be opaque to light and resistant to impact, heat and electricity.
Outer cover plate made of polycarbonate plastic which protects from UV radiation, impact and scratches.
Filter lens made of glass containing a filler which reduces the amount of light passing through to the eyes. Filters are available in different shade numbers ranging from 2 to 14. The higher the number, the darker the filter and the less light passes through the lens. Clear retainer lens made of plastic prevents any broken pieces of the filter lens from reaching the eye.
Gasket made of heat insulating material between the cover lens and the filter lens protects the lens from sudden heat changes which could cause it to break. In some models the heat insulation is provided by the frame mount instead of a separate gasket.
Choose a tight fitting helmet to help reduce light reflection into the helmet through the space between the shell and the head.
Wear the helmet correctly. Do not use it as a hand shield.
Protect the shade lens from impact and sudden temperature changes that could cause it to crack.
Use a cover lens to protect the filter shade lens. Replace the cover lens if it gets scratched or hazy. Make sure to replace the gasket periodically if your helmet uses one. Replace the clear retaining lens to protect your eyes from broken pieces. Clean lenses periodically and discard pitted or damaged lenses.