Q&A - how to manage ultraviolet light risks?
Q. We received a visit from the HSE during which our arrangements for welding and plasma cutting were criticised. The inspector said that there was inadequate protection from ultraviolet light putting employees and others at risk of eye damage. What should we do?
A. You’ll need to provide protection both for the employee doing the work as well as colleagues and passers-by.
One simple measure to take is to use a dark coloured wall coating to reduce reflections. Another is to have strict access controls. You should have warning signs to indicate to others nearby that welding is taking place and no access is allowed. If welding or cutting are sporadic, the signs might be temporary and put up by your welder just before work starts. If there’s a fixed location where you carry out most welding and cutting, create a welding bay including screening and extraction for the fume in the same place. Otherwise use portable welding screens or curtains. Semi-transparent screens are popular as they allow others to see that welding is taking place from afar. However, if you don’t need those, darker screens are a better choice. When purchasing check the screen conforms to BS EN ISO 25980 .
There are multiple styles of eye protection for welders including face shields and goggles. Some provide impact protection, others are auto-darkening, and some include a fresh air feed to a hood. Tip. Consult a specialist welding equipment or PPE supplier to find the best option.
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