Find out more in this article. We will discuss the dangers of Infrared light and UV radiation, how to choose welding products, and how to treat a welding burn. Also, we’ll talk about the treatment options available to you. Infrared light is more dangerous than UV radiation, so make sure you choose the right welding product for your needs.
Infrared Light
Exposure to infrared light from a welding arc can cause arc eye. The light emitted from the arc is more powerful than visible light, and the eye is more susceptible to the damaging effects of the radiation. Some signs of arc eye include pain, redness, and abnormal sensitivity to light. The extent of exposure to the light varies based on the distance from the arc and the angle at which it strikes the eye. If the exposure to IR is long, symptoms of arc eye may not occur for several hours.
While welding burn can occur on any surface, exposure to IR is particularly hazardous for people who work with oxygen fuel. Depending on the process, infrared radiation can cause serious skin burns. Workers should wear protective goggles or full-face shields to protect their eyes. Using goggles alone is not enough; the radiation can reach the chin and under the chin and cause an infection. The only way to fully protect yourself against infrared light exposure is to wear a full face shield.
UVR irradiance increased with the increasing welding current. Whether the welding process is globular or spray, the effective irradiance of the UVR increased with the welding current. Moreover, it was found that the amount of UVR absorbed by the metal was significantly higher than the amount of CO2 in welding. Infrared light for welding burn becomes especially hazardous when UVR radiation reaches the metal during spray transfer.
The intensity of a welding burn varies according to the area where the burn has occurred. A 100-foot welder operating at 800 amps can cause a burn after five to ten minutes. Infrared lights from welding workstations may reduce the risk of burns, but the risk of injury from sunlight is the highest when welding close to people. If there are people around, it’s important to get medical attention right away.
Exposure to visible light is harmful for your eyes, as it overwhelms the iris and retina. Aside from causing an uncomfortable burn, infrared light can also lead to cataracts and permanent vision loss. If you’re a welder, consider wearing protective eyewear to protect your eyes from the damaging effects of the arc. The long-term effects of this radiation can be devastating to your health, especially if you have an eye condition such as glaucoma.
UV Radiation
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation, such as the UV radiation produced by a welding arc, can lead to serious skin burns and long-term health effects. The intense radiation from welding arcs can also cause mutated cells that can eventually develop into cancers. The following are symptoms and treatments for welding burns. Warning: Welders must be especially careful to protect their skin. While welding burn symptoms will typically occur within a few days, if you are exposed to UV radiation frequently, you should seek treatment immediately.
Use sunscreen! You will not be able to avoid exposure to the sun, but sunscreen can protect you from the UVRs released during welding. Make sure your sunscreen contains zinc oxide or a similar substance that provides broad-spectrum protection from the sun. You should also use protective clothing with a minimum SPF of 30 and higher if you’ll be working with metal that is extremely hot. Welders should consider the type of skin they have when purchasing sunscreen.
Sunscreen can protect your skin from UV rays, but even without protection, your skin can be severely damaged. Intense UV rays can cause Arc Eye (also known as Snow Blindness). These symptoms can occur anywhere from six to twelve hours after UV exposure and include intense tearing, watery eyes, and red eyelids. While the burn is generally temporary, it can be painful and result in a blurred vision. If you’ve suffered a welding burn, you may need to take pain medication and wear eye protection.
While the causes of welding burns aren’t fully understood, welders are exposed to high levels of UVC radiation. Exposure to this radiation will lead to erythema or burns, and it can lead to skin cancer. Because of the intensity of the light, welders may also be at an increased risk of developing skin cancer. In addition to the burn, exposure to UVC radiation can lead to skin cancer.
Exposure to UVR during welding is more hazardous at higher welding currents than at lower ones. At higher welding currents, UVR can cause Welders Flash, which will cause extreme discomfort, temporary blindness, and fluid excretion from the eye. However, repeated exposure to UV radiation may result in permanent damage to the eye. The general rule of thumb is to select the darkest filter that allows you to see the arc, but not lower than the minimum recommended rating.
Precautions in Selecting Products For Welding
When choosing products for welding, you must ensure that you are using the right kind of metal and filler metal. For high-strength steels, you will need filler metal with a low hydrogen content, or H4 designation. That signifies that the filler metal contains less than 4ml diffusible hydrogen per 100g of weldment. High-strength steels are susceptible to cracking, so it’s crucial to heat-treat them before welding. While heat treatment is not necessary for single-pass welding, it’s necessary for thicker multi-pass applications.
In addition to choosing the correct welding equipment, welders should also choose appropriate welding apparel. These protective items should be selected based on the thickness of the product and its material. It’s best to choose protective gear that is adjustable, which can help prevent neck strain and stress on pressure points on the head. Some protective apparel is now available with electromagnetic sensing technology, which eliminates interference from objects in the way of the welder’s field and darkens the lens during welding.
Another important precaution in welding is to choose a respirator with proper airflow. Respirators for welding contain substances that can be hazardous to your health, so make sure you choose a suitable one. You can also consult an industrial hygienist for specific recommendations on the right respirator for your welding operation. Moreover, you can use fume extraction systems in some companies. This way, you can reduce the number of toxic fumes produced by welding and save money on the welding process.
It’s best to start your safety plans with a hazard assessment. It will help you pinpoint any areas of the welding process that need attention. A hazard assessment should involve the industrial hygienist, employees, and managers. The goal of the hazard assessment is to challenge employees to look at the overall safety of the weld cell. Once you’ve identified the hazards, you can then make the necessary changes.
High-strength steels require more heat than mild steels. Because of their higher strength, they are often used in thinner cross-sections, which can reduce the overall weight of the structure. However, they do introduce some challenges in welding. For instance, the presence of residual stress during the welding process can lead to distortion. Also, the welding process will be longer if the metal undergoes multiple passes.
Treatment of Welding Burns
Welding burns are a common occurrence on construction sites. Unlike sunburns, arc welding burns are caused by touching hot materials. Due to the high temperature, environmental toxic fumes, and radiation that are released into the air, welding burns are particularly sensitive. As such, treatment of welding burns begins with getting out of the heat and gear. You should also check your skin to see if there is any blistering, as it may indicate a second-degree burn.
If you have a small welding burn, you can use cold water to clean it. You should never apply ice directly to the burn. In severe cases, you may need antibiotics and pain medication. You should not wear sleeveless or loose clothing until you get medical help. Also, you should remove any jewelry you’re wearing, as the area will be inflamed. For best results, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Prevention is the best way to prevent welding burns. As soon as you notice a burn, assess its severity. Open wounds should be treated with a disinfectant, and more severe burns should be checked by a doctor. If possible, take antibiotics along with dilating eye drops. In addition, you should wear protective eye gear to prevent infection. You should also wear protective eyewear and avoid any contact with heat-sensitive areas.
Welders should wear eye protection whenever they work. If the arc is close to your eyes, you may experience photokeratitis, a serious eye condition that causes the clear tissue in front of your eyes to become inflamed. Luckily, this condition doesn’t affect you permanently, but it can lead to dizziness and pain. Welders should also wear eye protection, but not just because it’s required by law.
Almond oil can also be applied to the affected area to help relieve pain and inflammation. It can also soothe dry, irritated, and itchy eyes. Those who are exposed to welding flames should try applying almond oil to the affected area before work. The oil can relieve pain and itchiness and even reduce inflammation. Afterward, welders should wear sunglasses to avoid exposure to bright light until their eyes have fully recovered.
