Welding Shields: Essential for Workplace Safety
Why Welding Shields Matter
WeldVison™ range of welding shields are a crucial part of personal protective equipment (PPE) for anyone involved in welding activities. They protect the welder’s face and eyes from severe hazards such as intense light, sparks, and harmful radiation. Proper use of welding Shields can prevent serious injuries and ensure a safer working environment.
Understanding the Importance
Welding produces intense ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation, as well as bright visible light that can cause eye injuries and skin burns. Prolonged exposure to these elements without adequate protection can lead to conditions like “welder’s flash” (photokeratitis), cataracts, and long-term skin damage. Welding Shields provide a barrier against these dangers, making them indispensable for welders.
Types of Welding Shields
1. Passive Welding Shields
Fixed Shade Lens: These Shields have a fixed shade lens, usually shade 10, which provides constant protection. They are simple, durable, and often more affordable.
Manual Flipping: Welders must flip the Shield up to inspect the weld and flip it down before striking an arc, which can be cumbersome but ensures continuous protection during welding.
2. Auto-Darkening Welding Shields
Variable Shade Lens: These Shields automatically adjust the lens shade based on the arc intensity, providing flexibility and ease of use.
Sensitivity and Delay Controls: Allow customization of how quickly the lens darkens and returns to its normal state, which enhances comfort and productivity.
Battery-Powered with Solar Assist: Many auto-darkening Shields are powered by batteries, often supplemented by solar cells to extend battery life.
Key Features to Consider
1. Lens Shade
Shade Range: Ensure the Shield covers the appropriate shade range for the type of welding you perform (typically shades 9-13 for most welding applications).
Adjustability: Variable shades offer flexibility for different welding processes and environments.
2. Viewing Area
Size: Larger viewing areas provide better visibility and reduce the need for head movement, improving comfort and precision.
Clarity: Look for Shields with high optical clarity ratings (1/1/1/1 is the best rating) for clear and undistorted views.
3. Comfort and Fit
Headgear Adjustability: Well-designed headgear allows for adjustments to ensure a secure and comfortable fit.
Weight: Lighter Shields reduce neck strain during long welding sessions, improving overall comfort.
4. Durability
Materials: Shields made from robust materials like polyamide or fiberglass offer enhanced durability and protection.
Impact Resistance: Ensures the Shield can withstand accidental drops and impacts without compromising safety.
5. Safety Standards
Compliance: Ensure the Shield meets safety standards such as ANSI Z87.1 in the US or EN 175 in Europe, which certify the Shield’s protective capabilities.
Benefits of Using Welding Shields
Eye Protection: Shields eyes from harmful UV and IR radiation, preventing injuries like welder’s flash and cataracts.
Facial Protection: Protects the face from sparks, spatter, and heat, reducing the risk of burns and other injuries.
Improved Visibility: Auto-darkening Shields improve visibility and accuracy, enhancing the quality of work and reducing errors.
Enhanced Comfort: Modern Shields are designed for comfort, with features like adjustable headgear and lightweight materials, making them suitable for extended use.
Welding Shield Standards: Ensuring Safety and Performance
Welding Shields are subject to various standards to ensure they provide adequate protection and performance. These standards specify requirements for optical clarity, impact resistance, switching speed, and more. Below are key standards relevant to welding Shields.
Key Welding Shield Standards
Here are some key aspects of the EN 166 standard:
1. Impact Resistance: Eyewear must provide adequate protection against high-speed particles and projectiles, ensuring they do not shatter upon impact.
2. Optical Quality: Lenses must have minimal optical distortion to provide clear vision without causing discomfort or eye strain.
3. Protection Against Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: Some eyewear may offer UV protection to shield the eyes from harmful UV rays, which can cause long-term damage to the eyes and surrounding skin.
4. Frame Durability: Frames should be robust and capable of withstanding mechanical stresses without breaking or deforming.
5. Comfort and Fit: Eyewear should be comfortable to wear for extended periods, with adjustable features to ensure a secure and personalized fit for different users.
6. Resistance to Chemicals and Liquids: Eyewear may be tested for resistance to various chemicals and liquids, depending on the intended use and workplace hazards.
7. Marking and Labeling: Each piece of eyewear must be marked with relevant information, including the manufacturer’s details, lens properties (e.g., optical class, UV protection), and compliance with the EN 166 standard.
1. ANSI Z87.1 (American National Standards Institute)
Scope: This standard specifies the design, performance, and marking of eye and face protection devices, including welding Shields, used in occupational and educational settings.
Requirements:
Impact Resistance: Shields must withstand impact from high-velocity particles.
Optical Clarity: Ensures minimal distortion and high optical quality.
UV/IR Protection: Lenses must provide protection from ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation.
Auto-Darkening Filters: Specifies switching speed, shade range, and light state requirements for auto-darkening Shields.
2. EN 175 (European Standard)
Scope: This standard specifies safety requirements and testing for equipment used to protect the eyes and face during welding and related processes.
Requirements:
Mechanical Strength: Shields must resist impact and penetration.
Field of Vision: Ensures a wide and clear field of vision for the welder.
Thermal Resistance: Shields must withstand high temperatures and flames.
Electrical Insulation: Ensures protection against electrical hazards during welding.
3. EN 379 (European Standard)
Scope: This standard focuses on auto-darkening welding filters and specifies requirements for their optical and protective properties.
Requirements:
Optical Classes: Ratings for optical quality, diffusion of light, variations in luminous transmittance, and angle dependence of luminous transmittance.
Switching Speed: Specifies the time it takes for the filter to switch from light to dark state.
Shade Range: Defines the range of shades the filter can provide, typically from shade 5 to shade 13.
UV/IR Protection: Ensures constant protection from UV and IR radiation, regardless of the filter’s state.
Auto-Darkening Filter (ADF) Standards for Welding Shields
Auto-Darkening Filters (ADFs) are a critical component of modern welding Shields, providing dynamic protection by automatically adjusting their shade in response to welding light. Standards ensure that ADFs offer reliable protection, optical clarity, and durability. Below are key standards related to ADFs in welding Shields.
Key ADF Standards
1. EN 379 (European Standard)
Scope: This standard specifies the requirements and testing methods for automatic welding filters (ADF).
Requirements:
Optical Classes: ADFs are rated for optical quality based on four criteria: optical clarity, diffusion of light, variations in luminous transmittance, and angle dependence of luminous transmittance. The best rating for each criterion is 1, with 1/1/1/1 being the highest overall rating.
Switching Speed: Specifies the time it takes for the ADF to switch from the light state to the dark state upon detecting the welding arc. Faster switching speeds provide better protection for the eyes.
Shade Range: Defines the range of darkness levels the ADF can achieve, typically from shade 5 to shade 13, suitable for various welding applications.
UV/IR Protection: Ensures continuous protection from ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation, regardless of the filter’s state (light or dark).
Light State: Specifies the light state shade of the ADF when no arc is detected, usually between shade 3 and shade 4, for clear vision during non-welding activities.
Temperature Resistance: ADFs must perform consistently across a range of temperatures to ensure reliability in different working conditions.
2. ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 (American National Standards Institute / International Safety Equipment Association)
Scope: This standard covers the performance and testing of eye and face protection devices, including ADF welding Shields.
Requirements:
Impact Resistance: ADFs must withstand impact from high-velocity particles to provide protection against physical hazards.
Switching Speed: Specifies the required speed for the ADF to switch from light to dark state to protect the eyes from the welding arc.
Shade Range and Consistency: Ensures the ADF provides the appropriate shade levels for various welding operations and that the shade is consistent across the viewing area.
UV/IR Protection: Continuous protection from UV and IR radiation, irrespective of the ADF’s state.
Power Source: ADFs can be powered by batteries, solar cells, or a combination of both, with standards ensuring reliable operation.
