THE AMERICAN WELDER As a leading organization concerned about safety in welding applications, the American Welding Society (AWS), with the support of scientific studies, created a specific standard — AWS F2.3M:2011, Specification for Use and Performance of Transparent Welding Curtains and Screens — to ensure that these safety products can adequately protect people near welding operations. There are screens on the market that do not meet all of AWS’s standard requirements. Therefore, these screens may not adequately protect against these hazards. Radiant Energy Hazards in Welding Ultraviolet and IR radiant energy are not as easily perceived by human senses compared to visible light — Fig. 2. In fact, UV energy is largely absorbed by the cornea, aqueous humor, and lens (Eye A on Fig. 2). The visible and near infrared energy are transmitted through the ocular media (cornea, aqueous humor, lens) and focused on the retina (Eye B on Fig. 2). As the harmful effects may not be felt immediately, exposure to this hazard may be unknown to people nearby. Protection of these people requires a high level of vigilance regarding the proper choice and use of protection screens. It is absolutely necessary to protect the welding environment with screens that filter enough of the visible and invisible radiant energy so that only the nonhazardous visible light remains. Need for Transparency The welding industry needs a transparent screen to permit supervisory personnel to observe the welder’s progress and detect incidents when outside assistance is necessary (e.g., fires and heart attacks). A review of welding accidents in England and the United States emphasizes the importance of being able to observe the interior of welding booths from outside for safety. For welding stations located near one another, there is an increased need to protect the welder’s eyes from the arc light of an adjacent workstation during setup time, when helmets and shade glasses may not be worn. DECEMBER 2016 / WELDING JOURNAL 83 Fig. 2 — The hazards posed to the human eye by arc light. Fig. 3 — When purchasing protective screens, look for ones that meet AWS F2.3M:2011 requirements and are labeled as such by their manufacturer.
Welding Journal | December 2016
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