Hi, the company I work for frequently works in engineering/ welding shops installing LEV equipment. I am trying to identify the PPE suitable for use by non welders i.e. working in the vicinity of welders. All the information in regards to PPE that I can find only specifies PPE i.e. shade of glasses for people wo are actually welding. Would anyone be able to point me in the direction of any information in regards to PPE for non welders in welding/ engineering shops. I am struggling as I want order safety glasses that would protect our employees from the weld flash but cant seem to find anything covering non-welders. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

Originally Posted by: peter gotch

Hi Brendan

Usually the solution would be to screen off the welders so that others don't need protection against weld flash.

P

Hi thanks for the reply and agree the welders should have welding curtains etc, however when going on site as contractors we cant always ensure the clients staff are taking these measures so, I would like to provide our employees with there own protection if possible but need some guidance on the shade type.

I think that what you are asking for is impossible.

We assume that what you are looking for is some sort of eye protection that will protect your employees from other people’s flash. But that level of protection must not create a risk for those employees, by being too attenuating(dark). Getting that balance will be difficult.  The sort of protection will depend on how close to the light source you are; you can apply the inverse square rule to calculate the level of protection required at various distances but only if you know the flash intensity and as it is not your process you have no idea as to the intensity. The hue(colour)  of the flash is also relevant  when selecting  eye protection but that depends on the type of welding taking place and again you have no idea what that is. As Peter says what should be happening is that the people in control of the hazard should be putting up screens. Have you asked them?  

Originally Posted by: A Kurdziel

I think that what you are asking for is impossible.

We assume that what you are looking for is some sort of eye protection that will protect your employees from other people’s flash. But that level of protection must not create a risk for those employees, by being too attenuating(dark). Getting that balance will be difficult.  The sort of protection will depend on how close to the light source you are; you can apply the inverse square rule to calculate the level of protection required at various distances but only if you know the flash intensity and as it is not your process you have no idea as to the intensity. The hue(colour)  of the flash is also relevant  when selecting  eye protection but that depends on the type of welding taking place and again you have no idea what that is. As Peter says what should be happening is that the people in control of the hazard should be putting up screens. Have you asked them?  

To be honest a division of the company has asked me to look into this, I think realistically this will need to be disscussed with the client before any of our employees go on site i.e ensure welding areas screened off, or welding not conducted when we are working in the vicinity. Thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by: brendan1495

To be honest a division of the company has asked me to look into this, I think realistically this will need to be disscussed with the client before any of our employees go on site i.e ensure welding areas screened off, or welding not conducted when we are working in the vicinity. Thanks for the advice.

It is the first line in controlling contractors to ensure their activity and the activity of others around them cause no risk to the other party. Where there is risk (as you are describing) and their are no suitable controls (absence of welding curtain) then the tasks simply cannot be simultaneous. Lets not forget your issue is not only the "arc" but also the potential fume and spatter.