Welding goggles protect eyes from particles and radiation while welding. They must be durable, impact-resistant, filter out harmful radiation, and have a wraparound design. Welding helmets provide complete protection, while light welding goggles are removable but less protective. Without proper eyewear, welders risk eye damage.
Welding goggles are protective safety goggles designed to shield the eyes from particles and radiation and to provide clear visibility while welding. They must be made of a durable, impact-resistant material, such as shatterproof glass, and they must filter out harmful ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the welding torch which can cause blindness. Goggles are usually made with a wraparound design to provide maximum protection from sparks, and may also include a bifocal or magnified lens and an anti-fog coating to improve visibility. Most welding goggles sold in the United States meet standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
To improve comfort and fit, welding goggles are typically made with a flexible frame and elastic headband. These features allow them to fit heads of any size and fit snugly, even if the user is wearing glasses. The design includes ventilation holes to prevent fogging, and while the lenses are scratch and impact resistant, they are often replaceable. Filters vary according to the type of welding being performed and the goggles used for one type of welding are not necessarily suitable for another.
A welding helmet includes a set of goggles in its design and provides complete protection from the hazards of oxyfuel welding and cutting. A welding helmet, on the other hand, usually has a window covered by a filter and there are also welding goggles with this design. The window may be made of stained glass or plastic in older designs, but more modern ones are sensitive to light and automatically darken when needed. This feature encourages the welder to hold them in place and avoid flash burns by forgetting to set the mask or goggles before turning on the torch.
Welders performing light welding and cutting procedures can benefit from a variety of welding goggles available. More like safety goggles than welding goggles, they feature a wraparound design and tinted lenses that may include magnification. They are easily removable to allow the welder to engage in a variety of tasks, but do not provide the protection of a mask or goggles. The flame from a welding torch is dangerous, not only because of the high heat it produces, but also because of the broad spectrum of dangerous radiation it emits. Without the protection of appropriate eyewear, such as those provided by welding goggles or masks, welders can suffer temporary or permanent damage to the corneas of their eyes.
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