Arc eye

[Johnparker123]

Hello I am new to mig welding and im worried about getting arc eye/welders flash. I have heard it can reflect off surfaces and cause damage to your eyes. I have an orange set of overalls I bought and I started doing abit of welding and I can see orange light reflecting/lighting up underneath my welding hood. Can this cause arc eye? Or am I otherthinking

 

[tom2207]

welcome to the forum ,,,
adjust your hood a tad until there is less of a gap between your hood and your chest , that will get rid of the risk and help stop glare and reflections that can be distracting , but all in all dont overthink things too much

 

[Johnparker123]

welcome to the forum ,,,
adjust your hood a tad until there is less of a gap between your hood and your chest , that will get rid of the risk and help stop glare and reflections that can be distracting , but all in all dont overthink things too much

Thanks Tom I actually have an air fed welding hood which has like a black material part that goes under your chin but the light still ends up going through the material.

 

[Jackimus]

If you can see it, it's getting into your eyes. Is the orange reflection only when the arc is going / intensifies when the arc is going, or just happens all the time?

 

[tom2207]

Thanks Tom I actually have an air fed welding hood which has like a black material part that goes under your chin but the light still ends up going through the material.

are you sure your jackets not on fire in that case

 

[Avocet]

I've only ever had it once, a good 40 years ago now, and I don't want it again! I still don't quite know how it happened, but I wear glasses and had spent most of the day welding, before driving a few hundred miles that night. In the small hours of the next morning, I woke up with the affliction. All I can assume, is that somehow there was something reflective behind me, and I was getting something reflected off that, and then back off the inside of my glasses?

 

[ajlelectronics]

I've only ever had it once, a good 40 years ago now, and I don't want it again! I still don't quite know how it happened, but I wear glasses and had spent most of the day welding, before driving a few hundred miles that night. In the small hours of the next morning, I woke up with the affliction. All I can assume, is that somehow there was something reflective behind me, and I was getting something reflected off that, and then back off the inside of my glasses?

I know how mine happened! I was arc welding as a cocky, know it all teenager and was watching the arc strike before lifting the mask!

 

[Johnparker123]

If you can see it, it's getting into your eyes. Is the orange reflection only when the arc is going / intensifies when the arc is going, or just happens all the time?

Yes when the arc is going it’s like a big orange light underneath my hood showing through the material of my air fed mask. It’s must be reflecting the orange coloured overalls I have got. Just want to make sure it’s fine as the last thing I’d want is bad eyes from it

 

[ajlelectronics]

Yes when the arc is going it’s like a big orange light underneath my hood showing through the material of my air fed mask. It’s must be reflecting the orange coloured overalls I have got. Just want to make sure it’s fine as the last thing I’d want is bad eyes from it

I don't think that is much of a risk personally. It is impossible to get rid of the environment lighting up from the arc, so just make sure it is not in line of sight. If you wear glasses, they are often a good secondary UV filter.

 

[Jackimus]

I'm an overcautious worrier, so as in my above post I defer to "if you can see it, it's hitting your eyes" thus the orange reflection you're seeing on the inside of the mask is UV which is getting to your eyes.

How much it is, if it's enough to cause arc eye, how long it would take to cause it, I don't know. What I do know is I would be getting some nice navy overalls.

 

[carbon]

If I’m welding inside an aluminium lorry body I will always wear a proban welding hood to stop reflections burning my neck and chin. I wear glasses and don’t get any problems with arc eye

 

[voipio]

If the material of the orange overalls is fluorescent, then it's quite likely that the ultraviolet light emitted by the arc will be making the overall's fabric glow, making the orange glow seem brighter than if the fabric was non-fluorescent, and only reflecting the orange part of the arc's light spectrum. The energy to cause the fluorescence would come from the arc's UV, which will, of necessity, be being absorbed, and therefore not passed to your eyes.

 

[trigger3]

im not sure if reflected light can hurt your eyes but at a minimum its annoying and can be very distracting. try some sort of fabric like this.

 

[Johnparker123]

im not sure if reflected light can hurt your eyes but at a minimum its annoying and can be very distracting. try some sort of fabric like this.

I have a speed glass 9002v would this fit?

 

[trigger3]

I have a speed glass 9002v would this fit?

no those fabric parts are specific to the 9100 mask. lincoln has a generic fabric head cover that will work on most any mask kp4789-1. im sure theres also a generic chin fabric cover

 

[Bsmith]

I have had arceye various times once from it reflecting off the sea, so be careful with reflections although I don't think the reflection that you are seeing will do any harm but why not get a welder's jacket if you are worried?
As said, I and some other mates of mine have had arceye but I never heard of it causing permanent damage although it is cruelty at the time.

 

[Popcorn]

Modaflame Knit FR Balaclava Hood

FR2 is inherently flame resistant and anti-static. The fabric provides protection against the thermal hazard of an electric arc and the high cotton content gives maximum comfort against the skin. Ideal when extra warmth and protection are required.

cwear.co.uk

 

[tom2207]

these welding hoods are getting popular

 

[trigger3]

Modaflame Knit FR Balaclava Hood

FR2 is inherently flame resistant and anti-static. The fabric provides protection against the thermal hazard of an electric arc and the high cotton content gives maximum comfort against the skin. Ideal when extra warmth and protection are required.

cwear.co.uk

thats no good for preventing reflection into the mask fron the rear or underneath

 

[E T]

Amazon has a cheap option.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Welding-helmet-extension-anti-glare-press-fit/dp/B0CMWS72FH