Rank: Forum user 
|
Right, having a bit of "banter" with our plant manager who I spotted sheilding his eyes with his hands whilst a colleague spot welded. Now, I wasn't happy about this and said he should have had proper eye protection on which he disagrees with and said its common practice to sheild your eyes in this manner whilst someone else (wearing full gear) spot welds. I've looked on the HSE site and there seems to be plenty with references to other hazards but not so much on eyes. I can see this turning in to a bun fight so need to find the answer. I'm more than happy to be wrong on this if that is the case but I do need to find the answer. Any pointers????
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
A search on Google found this which may help
Optical radiationThe welding process produces a large quantity of visible light, ultraviolet and infrared. Exposure to the radiation from an arc causes burns to the skin, and damage to the eyes. For this reason, welders need to wear clothing to protect their bodies and arms, regardless of the weather conditions. They also need efficient eye protection, which is usually supplied in the form of a protective shield. The precise choice of the shade of glass filter in these shields depends on the type of welding operation, since they vary in their light output. Welders assistants also need protective clothing and eye protection. Passers-by should be protected by placing opaque or properly filtered screens around the work area.
regards Dave
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
If the work had been planned to prevent the exposure of non-partcipants in the activity personally I would expect it to be conducted behind barrier (welding) curtains arranged to protect those inadvertantly glancing toward the work scene. You do not describe what the manager was doing at the time for example if they were monitoring a new employee or a trainee I would agree that the correct eye protection is required.
What does your welding Risk Assessment / Hot Work Permit say?
|
 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
If the work had been planned to prevent the exposure of non-partcipants in the activity personally I would expect it to be conducted behind barrier (welding) curtains arranged to protect those inadvertantly glancing toward the work scene. You do not describe what the manager was doing at the time for example if they were monitoring a new employee or a trainee I would agree that the correct eye protection is required.
What does your welding Risk Assessment / Hot Work Permit say?
|
2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Thanks both. The manager was holding the piece in place to be welded and was looking away and shielding his eyes. It was on a high platform so no curtains can be put up but no others in the area so no risk to others just the plant manager and welder. Risk assessments......well these have been done (not well in my opinion) by my predecessor but for some inexplicable reason never briefed???? Don't go there! I'm currently reviewing all RA and SSoW and these will be issued to all and unsurprisingly state that eye protection is mandatory! I still think a bun fight is on the cards, maybe I'll offer to call the HSE and pose this very question? Given their interest in welding at the moment I am sure they would be more than willing to pop in to discuss (and charge us). :-) LOL
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Considering you can get a pair of welding goggles for less than £5 I can't really see what the objection would be. But then again, I bet it isn't the price that is the stumbling point. It is alwys the "It doesn't affect me" attitude.
|
1 user thanked CptBeaky for this useful post.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Given that you state he was "holding the piece in place to be welded" he is part of the welding 'team' at that point and needs appropriate PPE. Using hands is in my opioin no defense and I would pull this as you have. We do on occation have 'visitors' to welding bays for very short durations i.e. Supervisor but they are not holding anything or helping they are often just nipping in for a matter of seconds and will turn away as instructed should welder need to weld in their presence.
We have instruction and signage that if a bay is to be visited "whilst active" for more than 60 seconds then full PPE is needed. 9 times out of 10 the welder just stops welding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Originally Posted by: CptBeaky  Considering you can get a pair of welding goggles for less than £5 I can't really see what the objection would be. But then again, I bet it isn't the price that is the stumbling point. It is alwys the "It doesn't affect me" attitude.
Unfortunatly I got the "its common practice" response so clearly that's magical protection then!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Turning away from the welding may give some protection from direct light but not from reflected light from around the area. Assuming it is arc welding there is also a requirement to protect the skin. Turning away will not prevent skin exposure. In addition the manager should have been setting a good example.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Originally Posted by: johnc In addition the manager should have been setting a good example.
From your keyboards to God's ears!
|
1 user thanked thunderchild for this useful post.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Be aware that arc welding produces a high level of UVC which is the most dangerous form of UV. Full skin proteection should be provided, not just welding goggles if the person is in close proximity to the welding operation. UVC is the form of UV that is used to kill micro-organisms and skin exposure should be prevented.
|
1 user thanked chris.packham for this useful post.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Seriously?
Minimal UV risk. Spot welding does not generate the same arc.
"Spot welding tends to be a more controlled process and produces much less fume and splatter and negligible UV. Eye protection is only required to safeguard against splatter and good general ventilation is usually sufficient. All portable welding guns should have suitable counterbalanced devices for supporting the guns, including cables, unless the design of the equipment makes counterbalancing unnecessary"
http://www.hse.gov.uk/mv...nical-repair/welding.htm
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Originally Posted by: johnmurray Seriously?
Yes, I'm serious.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Resistance spot welding will emit very low levels of UV but arc spot welding will create high levels of UV although of short duration for each spot. Therefore the arc welding will need face and eye protection. The HSE guidance quoted above refers to resistance welding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Thankyou for you tuition about the difference between resistance spot-welding, and through welding/tack-welding......I should have know it wasn't spot welding as soon as the thread included "on a platform"....
Risk factor from minimal exposure to UV radiation, with respect to skin cancer, is pretty low....a bit higher for "arc-eye". I would be more worried about whether both were complying with the RPE requirements with respect to welding fume, which has now been elevated to quite extreme. I'd also be more worried about being on a platform and not being able to see properly due to the glare effect reducing eye sensitivity. Still, what do I know.....only 39 years experience of welding!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.