What Is Welder's Flash? Get the Facts

Welder's flash is one of the most common types of work-related injuries sustained by professional welders. When welding, you'll need to take preventative measures to protect your eyes. Failure to do so could result in welder's flash. What is welder's flash exactly, and how do you prevent it?

Overview of Welder's Flash

Also known as arc eye and flash burn, welder's flash is an eye injury characterized by exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) light produced by a welding arc. Welding arcs don't just produce a flame; they produce UV light -- and a lot of it. It's similar to the UV light produced by the sun. If your skin is exposed to a welding arc's UV light, it will burn. Your eyes can also be damaged by this UV light. UV-related eye damage from a welding arc is welder's flash.

The Effects of Welder's Flash

UV light can cause severe damage to your eyes. More specifically, it will burn your eyes' protective mucus membrane. Our eyes have a layer of mucus that lubricates and protects them from dryness. With welder's flash, the UV light produced by a welding arc will burn this layer. With the mucus membrane layered injured, it will become inflamed. This can lead to one or more symptoms with which welder's flash is associated.

Some of the most common symptoms of welder's flash include the following:

• Blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Eye pain
• Eye redness
• Excess tear production
• Temporary blindness

How to Prevent Welder's Flash

If your job involves welding, there are several things you can do to protect yourself from welder's flash. The single most important preventative measure is to wear eye protection. There are special welding goggles that are designed to filter UV light. You'll still be able to your workpiece while wearing them, but welding goggles will filter the UV light so that it doesn't reach your eyes.

Taking regular breaks can lower your risk of welder's flash. Avoid welding for long periods at a time. Instead, take frequent breaks so that your eyes have an opportunity to rest.

You can also use a welding curtain to protect against welder's flash. Welding curtains are structural sheets that are designed to block UV light. Without a welding curtain, other workers may be exposed to the UV light produced by your welding arc. A welding curtain protects other workers from this common type of eye injury by trapping the UV light.