Blue-light hazard from CO2 arc welding of mild steel.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to quantify the blue-light hazard from CO(2) arc welding of mild steel.


METHODS
The spectral radiance of arcs in CO(2) arc welding of mild steel was measured for solid and flux-cored wires at welding currents of 120-480 A. Effective blue-light radiance and the maximum acceptable exposure duration were calculated from the spectral radiance using their definitions in American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists guidelines.


RESULTS
The effective blue-light radiance ranged from 22.9 to 213.1 Wcm(-2)sr(-1). The corresponding maximum acceptable exposure duration was only 0.47-4.36 s, meaning that the total daily exposure to the welding arc without eye protection should not exceed this duration.


CONCLUSIONS
It is very hazardous to view the arcs in CO(2) arc welding of mild steel. Welders and their helpers should use appropriate eye protectors in these arc-welding operations. Also, they should avoid direct light exposure when starting an arc-welding operation.
Okuno
T
T
Hazard Evaluation and Epidemiology Research Group, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Japan, Nagao 6-21-1, Tama-Ku, Kawasaki 214-8585, Japan. okuno@h.jniosh.go.jp
Ojima
J
J
Saito
H
H
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation; D012160:Retina / Q000528:radiation effects; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012371:Robotics; D013232:Steel; D013997:Time Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014896:Welding; D017132:Workplace
D013232:Steel; D002245:Carbon Dioxide