WLD/Hazards/TBT-WLD-008

UV Radiation and Arc Eye Prevention

Welding & Fabrication › Hazards › UV Radiation and Arc Eye Prevention

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

Welding arcs emit intense ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation that damages eyes and skin.
Arc eye (photokeratitis) is a painful burn to the cornea caused by UV exposure from the welding arc.
Symptoms include severe pain, watering eyes, gritty sensation, and sensitivity to light appearing 6-12 hours after exposure.
Even brief unprotected exposure to a welding arc can cause arc eye — a single flash is enough.
Bystanders and passers-by are also at risk; welding screens and barriers must protect everyone nearby.
UV radiation from welding also causes sunburn-like skin burns on exposed forearms, necks, and faces.
Welding helmets with the correct shade filter are essential; shade 10-13 is typical for arc welding.
Auto-darkening helmets must be tested before use; if the sensor fails, the welder is unprotected.
Reflective surfaces including metal, concrete, and water can bounce UV radiation around barriers.
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022 require employers to provide suitable eye protection.

Prevent arc eye	Arc eye causes intense pain and temporary vision loss. Repeated exposure can lead to permanent corneal damage and cataracts.
Protect bystanders	Workers walking past unscreened welding operations suffer arc eye without realising it until hours later when symptoms appear.
Skin cancer risk	Chronic UV exposure from welding increases the risk of skin cancer on exposed areas, particularly the face and forearms.

Don't

Wear a welding helmet with the correct shade filter for the process being used.
Test auto-darkening helmets before each use to confirm the sensor is working.
Erect welding screens or curtains to protect bystanders from arc radiation.
Cover all exposed skin with flame-resistant clothing to prevent UV skin burns.
Warn nearby workers before striking an arc so they can look away.
Use welding curtains that block UV even if they allow visible light through.
Position screens to account for UV reflection from nearby metal and concrete surfaces.
Seek medical advice if you develop arc eye symptoms after any welding exposure.
Replace cracked or damaged filter lenses in helmets immediately before welding.
Provide safety glasses with side shields as minimum protection for grinding between welds.

See also: Welding Safety Awareness (Comprehensive) | Welding Fume Extraction and LEV

Generate professional Risk Assessment and Method Statements in minutes. 10 document formats, site-specific content, instant Word download.

Toolbox Talk Record