Safety glasses for working around welders?

[809]

I work in a shop that does welding. But, I am not a welder. Walking around wearing a welding helmet makes no sense. Same with those super dark goggles for plasma cutters.

Are there any safety glasses that block a decent amount of arc flash/UV but don't make it look like it's night out? Am I asking for something that doesn't exist?

 

[cvairwerks]

Lots of shade 3 and 5 wrap around safety glasses out there. Most major welding brands have them, as well as welding supply and safety supply stores. Just make sure whatever you buy meets or exceeds the shop requirements.

 

[Jswain]

Reliable eye protection against ultra-violet rays with uvex UV 400 | uLTRAvIOLETexCLUDED

www.uvex-safety.com

Even a pair of clears from a decent brand should do what you are looking for, and as a bonus shield your eyes.

 

[mike93lx]

They don't use curtains/shields to protect bystanders? That's what I would be calling for first.

Walking around a shop wearing shade 5's is not what I would want to be doing.

 

[rlitman]

Reliable eye protection against ultra-violet rays with uvex UV 400 | uLTRAvIOLETexCLUDED

www.uvex-safety.com

Even a pair of clears from a decent brand should do what you are looking for, and as a bonus shield your eyes.

+1 Most people don't realize this, but clear polycarbonate lenses block over 99% of UV. If you're not close enough to be seeing spots (and you're not staring at the welding), clear is best.

They don't use curtains/shields to protect bystanders? That's what I would be calling for first.

Walking around a shop wearing shade 5's is not what I would want to be doing.

Exactly. Don't be walking around unable to see trip hazards.

 

[boom_bap]

Any safety glasses with Z87+ will block 99.9% UV light, that is the spec. They normally write it on the frame somewhere.

You should be good to go with normal safety glasses. Remember that the arc radiation will bounce around off concrete so make sure they're close to the face. They can bounce off the inside of the lenses otherwise.

 

[809]

bounce around off concrete

I did not know this. I thought they only bounced off reflective surfaces like glass, water, finished metal, etc.

 

[boom_bap]

Yep, slap those safety glasses on. I always just throw them on before I enter the shop and wear them all day until I leave the shop. You need to find a pair that are comfortable. I forget I have them on all the time. If you are around a lot of people welding I'd also just start wearing long sleeves to protect your skin too.

Jackson nemisis are pretty good. I've hear the milwaukees are pretty good too.

 

[bdbecker]

I'm guessing you are fairly new to the job/area? It's an unconscious reaction for a lot of people to look towards the bright light at first. Eventually you'll teach yourself to keep your peepers pointed in a safe direction as you move around the shop. It took me a good month or so to get used to it.

 

[mike93lx]

I'm guessing you are fairly new to the job/area? It's an unconscious reaction for a lot of people to look towards the bright light at first. Eventually you'll teach yourself to keep your peepers pointed in a safe direction as you move around the shop. It took me a good month or so to get used to it.

The company should be handling this properly and not relying on bystanders knowing where to look. Safety shouldn't have to depend on experience

 

[bdbecker]

The company should be handling this properly and not relying on bystanders knowing where to look. Safety shouldn't have to depend on experience

I totally agree. However, we have no details on how his shop is currently handling it. If they have not invested in curtains, I highly doubt one person complaining about it will change anything, and the OP needs to be careful where he looks while out in the shop. If they do have curtains and the OP is still getting flashed, then he needs to be more careful about where he looks while out in the shop.

 

[Marsim]

I can send you these if you want. Commercial aircraft smoke goggles. 100% uv protection, meets military ballistic tests, and foam fit seal. Pretty clear field of view. Should more then meets your needs.

 

[Two Speed]

I work in a shop that does welding. But, I am not a welder. Walking around wearing a welding helmet makes no sense. Same with those super dark goggles for plasma cutters.

Are there any safety glasses that block a decent amount of arc flash/UV but don't make it look like it's night out? Am I asking for something that doesn't exist?

What safety glasses have you got currently? Might be up to the task as is.

 

[809]

What safety glasses have you got currently? Might be up to the task as is.

Just regular clear ones.

 

[809]

I can send you these if you want. Commercial aircraft smoke goggles. 100% uv protection, meets military ballistic tests, and foam fit seal. Pretty clear field of view. Should more then meets your needs.

Appreciate the offer. I'm in Canada though so, shipping costs would be not worth it. I'll try to source it locally using the P/N though at surplus stores.

 

[scooby074]

Quality clears should meet UV specs. I worked in a heavy steel fab shop and never got flashed when wearing Safety glasses. Uvex or 3M were what was supplied.

Your employer should also be providing curtains. And dont stare at the light like a moth lol.

 

[Monza Harry]

Quality clears should meet UV specs. I worked in a heavy steel fab shop and never got flashed when wearing Safety glasses. Uvex or 3M were what was supplied.

Your employer should also be providing curtains. And don't stare at the light like a moth lol.

And the safety glasses, many employers in years of late are making their employees buy their own, that isn't the law in Ontario! I buy my own or used to as I found the ones I bought to be way more comfortable, they haven't been on sale for quite some time so I have been wearing the supplied ones. Harry

 

[scooby074]

And the safety glasses, many employers in years of late are making their employees buy their own, that isn't the law in Ontario! I buy my own or used to as I found the ones I bought to be way more comfortable, they haven't been on sale for quite some time so I have been wearing the supplied ones. Harry

Making employees buy their own! Wow. I get buying better than provided if you want but making employees buy the basics is ********

 

[American Locomotive]

As mentioned, basic polycarbonate plastic provides great UV protection. Auto-dimming welding masks for example ALWAYS provide UV protection - even "undimmed". The dimming part just lets you look at the weld without blinding yourself from bright light.

If you wear eyeglasses with polycarbonate lenses (most of them), you probably already have most of the UV protection you'll need.

...however as others mentioned, any shop with a welding area setup should have UV curtains setup around it. Probably a fairly major OSHA violation for it not.

 

[brownbagg]

i got some tinted that made for inside, for people that work inside and out, so you dont need two pair

 

[no704]

Sounds like a perfect application for an auto welding helmet

 

[rooster59]

Z87+ indoor outdoor tint