Shades

Welding/Torch cutting Shades [additional information]

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 radiation of wavelengths and intensities that can seriously damage the eyes.

See the two tables reproduced below for protection recommended and shade values. Higher shade numbers represent a darker filter for use with more intense light sources. The welding helmet does not provide adequate protection against flying sparks and debris, and must be supplemented with other eye protection. The hazard assessment for your welding, brazing, or torch cutting operation should prescribe the combination of filter lenses, headgear, and impact goggles/sideshields/glasses that will be necessary for your overall eye/face/head protection from heat, fire, and sparks or other flying objects.

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.

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.

Read manufacturer's instructions for care and maintenance, and keep items clean. If no manufacturers instructions are available, clean with mild soap and water. 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. Avoid laying helmets or goggles down in a manner that could scratch the lenses.

Tables reproduced from Purdue PPE Policy, Appendix D2.

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 (stick 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 (MIG) and flux cored arc welding			Less than 60	7
			60-160	10
			160-250	10
			250-500	10
Gas tungsten arc welding (TIG)			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
OPERATIONS		PLATE THICKNESS		*MINIMUM PROTECTIVE SHADE**
		INCHES	MM
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 torch cutting 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 referred to as radiant energy in safety documents pertaining to welding, brazing, and torch cutting.