Eye damage from arc welding

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Prism
In response to some other posts, I wouldn't consider myself a hypochondriac, but maybe I am, maybe I should get checked out for it :thumbsup:; it was not painfully obvious that I should have the dark part down, I felt no pain whatsoever; I paid attention in class very astutely, got an A and set the grading curve for it despite my experience, I am very safety conscious, and I know that the teacher did not go over welding safety procedures other than "put the mask on" and "don't touch the arc with your hand". You'd be surprised what goes on in a tiny town's school where the average graduating class size is roughly 50 people. Don't be so quick to judge.

I just don't get how you can sit there STARING AT A BLINDINGLY BRIGHT ARC and not realize that anything's the matter. Do you look directly at the sun as well?

I agree that it's the teacher's fault for not telling you. That said, call me a pessamist, but I think it's a good idea for people to do independent research on almost everything, since there are so many incompetents out there who don't do anything right. See: Jiffy Lube.

 

[Fritzo]

When I worked at the hospital several years ago, we would get about 2 people a month in the ER for retina burns. Looking at an arc welder is pretty much like looking directly at the sun on a clear day. Not good.

Depending on the length of exposure, it could heal...if pain persists for more than a few days, see a doctor.

Oh...do not put potatoes on your eyes. Starch is made of fine sand-like grains- not good for the eye.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Prism
In response to some other posts, I wouldn't consider myself a hypochondriac, but maybe I am, maybe I should get checked out for it :thumbsup:; it was not painfully obvious that I should have the dark part down, I felt no pain whatsoever; I paid attention in class very astutely, got an A and set the grading curve for it despite my experience, I am very safety conscious, and I know that the teacher did not go over welding safety procedures other than "put the mask on" and "don't touch the arc with your hand". You'd be surprised what goes on in a tiny town's school where the average graduating class size is roughly 50 people. Don't be so quick to judge.

I just don't get how you can sit there STARING AT A BLINDINGLY BRIGHT ARC and not realize that anything's the matter. Do you look directly at the sun as well?

I agree that it's the teacher's fault for not telling you. That said, call me a pessamist, but I think it's a good idea for people to do independent research on almost everything, since there are so many incompetents out there who don't do anything right. See: Jiffy Lube.

It probably wasn't that bright because the first glass is like shade 5 or 7.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
It probably wasn't that bright because the first glass is like shade 5 or 7.

Not all of them. Most of the masks that I've used are basically clear until you put the actual filter down.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
It probably wasn't that bright because the first glass is like shade 5 or 7.

Not all of them. Most of the masks that I've used are basically clear until you put the actual filter down.

QFT. MOST welders use clear glass for the inner filter (so they can see when grinding, chipping, etc., and a #9-12 for the welding filter. (depends on your eyes and what kind of welding you're doing.
#5-7 would be appropriate for gas welding.(oxy-acetylene or similar)

 

[Farang]

If it's any consolation, most professional welders in the world wear no eye protection at all.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Farang
If it's any consolation, most professional welders in the world wear no eye protection at all.

if it's any consolation, you're a fvcking idiot if you think that.

 

[JRich]

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly
3. Buy an autodarkening mask for $50 at Harbor Freight. So very worth it.

dude, this one looks pretty cool

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...egoryID=644&pricetype=

Superior auto-darkening lens for arc, MIG and TIG welding.

oh! this one is a skull!!

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...m.taf?itemnumber=94566

I've got the one with the blue flames

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Farang
If it's any consolation, most professional welders in the world wear no eye protection at all.

WTF?

 

[potato28]

Originally posted by: Farang
If it's any consolation, most professional welders in the world wear no eye protection at all.

In their spare time do they look directly at the Sun?

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Farang
If it's any consolation, most professional welders in the world wear no eye protection at all.

if it's any consolation, you're a fvcking idiot if you think that.

Gotta agree.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Farang
If it's any consolation, most professional welders in the world wear no eye protection at all.

if it's any consolation, you're a fvcking idiot if you think that.

Actually, when I read that, my first thought was "Well, there are a LOT of welders in the third world...it might be true."

 

[Mark R]

Originally posted by: jagec
Actually, when I read that, my first thought was "Well, there are a LOT of welders in the third world...it might be true."

I suspect that even in the third world most will use some form of eye protection. For the simple reason that if they don't, they won't stay welders for very long.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Mark R

Originally posted by: jagec
Actually, when I read that, my first thought was "Well, there are a LOT of welders in the third world...it might be true."

I suspect that even in the third world most will use some form of eye protection. For the simple reason that if they don't, they won't stay welders for very long.

You close your eyes and weld with the image you see through your eyelids.

But yeah, it certainly isn't a long-term solution.

 

[imported_Imp]

Did they make you sign a permission form saying "I acknowledge arc welding is a dangerous activity that may result in permanen injury or death. I will not sue you if anything happens."

If not, guess you could try to bleed the school board dry.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Mark R

Originally posted by: jagec
Actually, when I read that, my first thought was "Well, there are a LOT of welders in the third world...it might be true."

I suspect that even in the third world most will use some form of eye protection. For the simple reason that if they don't, they won't stay welders for very long.

You close your eyes and weld with the image you see through your eyelids.

But yeah, it certainly isn't a long-term solution.

Seriously?

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Mark R

Originally posted by: jagec
Actually, when I read that, my first thought was "Well, there are a LOT of welders in the third world...it might be true."

I suspect that even in the third world most will use some form of eye protection. For the simple reason that if they don't, they won't stay welders for very long.

You close your eyes and weld with the image you see through your eyelids.

But yeah, it certainly isn't a long-term solution.

Seriously?

Well I don't do it, but I've heard about that technique.

 

[LennyZ]

Also don't breathe the fumes from the welding process.
Use a fan to blow it away from you.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Farang
If it's any consolation, most professional welders in the world wear no eye protection at all.

if it's any consolation, you're a fvcking idiot if you think that.

Actually, when I read that, my first thought was "Well, there are a LOT of welders in the third world...it might be true."

While I'm in no means backing this claim up with any evidence, the fact that I've both seen more welding in the third world and that I have never seen a welder use eye protection here leads me to be absolutely sure that the majority of those who weld for money (professional welders) do not wear eye protection.

Its not even the third world. Here in Thailand, and in Malaysia, both which I would not consider "third world," most welders don't wear eye protection.

 

[alkemyst]

we talking welding or sweating on pipes?

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Farang
If it's any consolation, most professional welders in the world wear no eye protection at all.

if it's any consolation, you're a fvcking idiot if you think that.

Actually, when I read that, my first thought was "Well, there are a LOT of welders in the third world...it might be true."

While I'm in no means backing this claim up with any evidence, the fact that I've both seen more welding in the third world and that I have never seen a welder use eye protection here leads me to be absolutely sure that the majority of those who weld for money (professional welders) do not wear eye protection.

Its not even the third world. Here in Thailand, and in Malaysia, both which I would not consider "third world," most welders don't wear eye protection.

Maybe you surround yourself with idiots.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: TitanDiddly
I am a Welding Engineering student.

1. Report the teacher. Don't chicken out on this.
2. See an eye doctor at your convenience. There's not really any first aid/urgency to retina burns, but sooner is better than later.
3. Buy an autodarkening mask for $50 at Harbor Freight. So very worth it.

Edit: Just saw that you said 'in high school'. How long ago was this?

Those auto masks are really incredible. I had a really hard time getting myself to trust it the first time I used it, but it works. It's amazing, and so much easier than flipping the dark part down and starting the weld blind.

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Farang
If it's any consolation, most professional welders in the world wear no eye protection at all.

if it's any consolation, you're a fvcking idiot if you think that.

Actually, when I read that, my first thought was "Well, there are a LOT of welders in the third world...it might be true."

While I'm in no means backing this claim up with any evidence, the fact that I've both seen more welding in the third world and that I have never seen a welder use eye protection here leads me to be absolutely sure that the majority of those who weld for money (professional welders) do not wear eye protection.

Its not even the third world. Here in Thailand, and in Malaysia, both which I would not consider "third world," most welders don't wear eye protection.

Guess they are not professionals after all, because that's ridiculous.

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: Mark R

Originally posted by: jagec
Actually, when I read that, my first thought was "Well, there are a LOT of welders in the third world...it might be true."

I suspect that even in the third world most will use some form of eye protection. For the simple reason that if they don't, they won't stay welders for very long.

I saw a lot of welding going on in China like 15 years ago. All the welders used protection.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: Farang
If it's any consolation, most professional welders in the world wear no eye protection at all.

if it's any consolation, you're a fvcking idiot if you think that.

Actually, when I read that, my first thought was "Well, there are a LOT of welders in the third world...it might be true."

While I'm in no means backing this claim up with any evidence, the fact that I've both seen more welding in the third world and that I have never seen a welder use eye protection here leads me to be absolutely sure that the majority of those who weld for money (professional welders) do not wear eye protection.

Its not even the third world. Here in Thailand, and in Malaysia, both which I would not consider "third world," most welders don't wear eye protection.

That's simply not possible. They would lose their sight pretty quickly if they were doing any kind of electric welding.

Now if they were using a torch, then yeah, you can get by without a mask. Still not advisable, but you aren't looking at UV light with a torch.

I've seen people do it, and if you just need to run a quick bead or spot, you can get away with it, but as far as welding all day for a living, no way you can look at an arc that long and still see.
It only takes a few minutes of looking directly at the arc to damage your eyes.