Arrrgh burnt face/eyes

[Lawnmowerboy]

Hi all, was tacking some stuff up with the mig yesterday just by closing my eves and god have i payd for it this morning woke up with eyes like red hot golfballs

any ideas?

now i look like a lobster...

will

 

[eil]

Is your surname Teutul by any chance, you will be wearing a mask from now on then ?. Now what was it that captain Mainwaring used to say to Pike

 

[langy]

Hi all, was tacking some stuff up with the mig yesterday just by closing my eves and god have i payd for it this morning woke up with eyes like red hot golfballs

any ideas?

now i look like a lobster...

will

I will be blunt i'm afraid, that was stupid and you should of known better, hope it gets better soon.

 

[Angusdog]

I did a little TIG job the other day (practice really), only maybe six inches of weld. Next day, my exposed forearms were 'sunburnt', a lesson learnt cheaply. MIG doesn't seem so bad, but a good warning to you and others. We live and learn

 

[Championship White]

I had no idea it gave off UV like that! I also had a sunburnt fore-arm after my first day of Mig'ing and thought it was just the unseasonal sun!

 

[tigler]

Well thats a lesson learned then !! I've always thought it wrong for that practice to be shown on American Hot Rod and Chopper, some people need protecting from themselves.
The long term consequences of weld burn are what should be worried about, rather than just the short term discomfort.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Sunburnt eyelids, I have learnt that lesson a while ago.

I have never got uv burns on my arms before when using my tig at work (SIP 180)
Strangely though, when I used the tig (fecking huge thing) at another company I worked for using less amps than I would for the 180, it gave me burns. Could this be down to different UV frequencies between different machines? It confused me.

Perhaps the UV frequency can vary at different amps?

 

[cumbriasteve]

Well thats a lesson learned then !! I've always thought it wrong for that practice to be shown on American Hot Rod and Chopper, some people need protecting from themselves.
The long term consequences of weld burn are what should be worried about, rather than just the short term discomfort.

I agree and will also be blunt:

I am always amazed how some people think a dangerous act is a joking matter, apart from the burns, the eyelids are a skin layer that can be damaged more easily then the arms etc, it is also the last delicate line of defence for the eye.

So... any ideas?...yes and it's not a difficult one to work out...use a mask!

 

[Chipper]

"Aftersun" cream could help. I got a bit crispy just now on hols, inc round me eyelids and around there. The glop helped a lot. Quite runny too, so you don't feel all greasy as if you've got a whole rendered down cow on yr boatrace...

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I once got "arc eye" after a mask slipped when arc welding. A quick visit to doctors and he told me to go to A & E straight away. The paint was terrible and I had to wear an eye patch for weeks as well as having all the house curtains closed.
This was an accident but never again will I risk damaging my eyes and no way would I ever use a Mig without a mask.

Paul h

 

[rich r]

With an auto darkening mask, don't accidentally leave it on the 'grinding' setting and wonder why the brightness alone of looking at a 3.2mm rod arc for under a second gives you a headache.

Not that I've done that twice now...

 

[tigler]

Sunburnt eyelids, I have learnt that lesson a while ago.

I have never got uv burns on my arms before when using my tig at work (SIP 180)
Strangely though, when I used the tig (fecking huge thing) at another company I worked for using less amps than I would for the 180, it gave me burns. Could this be down to different UV frequencies between different machines? It confused me.

Perhaps the UV frequency can vary at different amps?

Have a look at this, in particular the last paragraph regarding reflection etc.

What types of radiation are associated with welding?

Welding arcs give off radiation over a broad range of wavelengths - from 200 nm (nanometres) to 1,400 nm (or 0.2 to 1.4 µm, micometres). This includes ultraviolet (UV) radiation (200 to 400 nm), visible light (400 to 700 nm), and infrared (IR) radiation (700 to 1,400 nm).
types of radiation are associated with welding

UV-radiation is divided into three ranges - UV-A (315 to 400 nm), UV-B (280 to 315 nm) and UV-C (100 to 280 nm). UV-C and almost all UV-B are absorbed in the cornea of the eye. UV-A passes through cornea and is absorbed in the lens of the eye.

Some UV radiation, visible light, and IR radiation can reach the retina.

What are the symptoms of "Arc Eye"?

Certain types of UV radiation can produce an injury to the surface and mucous membrane (conjunctiva) of the eye called "arc eye," "welders' eye" or "arc flash." These names are common names for "conjunctivitis" - an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the front of the eye. The symptoms include:

pain - ranging from a mild feeling of pressure in the eyes to intense pain in severe instances
tearing and reddening of the eye and membranes around the eye
sensation of "sand in the eye" or abnormal sensitivity to light
inability to look at light sources (photophobia)

The amount of time required to cause these effects depends on several factors such as the intensity of the radiation, the distance from the welding arc, the angle at which the radiation enters the eye, and type of eye protection that the welder or bystander is using. However, exposure to just a few seconds of intense UV light can cause arc eye. These symptoms may not be felt until several hours after exposure.

Are there other possible effects to the eyes?

Long-term exposure to UV light can produce cataracts in some persons.

Visible light from welding processes is very bright and can overwhelm the ability of the iris of the eye to close sufficiently and rapidly enough to limit the brightness of the light reaching the retina. The result is that the light is temporarily blinding and fatiguing to the eye.

A serious concern is the "blue light hazard" which is the temporary or permanent scarring of the retina due to its sensitivity to blue light, around 440 nm wavelength. Blindness may result.

Exposure to infrared light can heat the lens of the eye and produce cataracts over the long term.

What are the skin hazards associated with welding and radiation?

Welding arcs and flames emit intense visible, ultraviolet, and infrared radiation.

UV radiation in a welding arc will burn unprotected skin just like UV radiation in sunlight. This is true for direct exposure to UV radiation as well as radiation that is reflected from metal surfaces, walls, and ceilings. Surface finishes and certain paint colours can reduce the amount of UV radiation that is reflected.
Long-term exposure to UV radiation can cause skin cancer.
Infrared radiation and visible light normally have very little effect on the skin

 

[Welderpaul]

any ideas?


will

Bear the pain...it will remind you not to do it again

 

[tigler]

I agree and will also be blunt:

I am always amazed how some people think a dangerous act is a joking matter, apart from the burns, the eyelids are a skin layer that can be damaged more easily then the arms etc, it is also the last delicate line of defence for the eye.

So... any ideas?...yes and it's not a difficult one to work out...use a mask!

And gloves, apron or welding overalls that stop UV, with protection to the neck. Basically there should be no exposed skin. I look like a weldonaut when I do any welding, may look funny to some but melonoma is not funny at all !!

 

[Wozzaaah]

No sympathy here either!
Been there, done it, (hopefully) won't do it again!

 

[PTvor]

I had arc burn on the stomach once. I was welding in a thick shirt, but one of the buttons had come undone leaving a bare patch of skin. It was sore. I use an old leather jacket with a zip front these days, even in hot weather.

As for welding in tee shirts and tacking with no mask, it's just asking for trouble.

There are also long term conditions which arc rays increase risk to, such as skin cancer and eye problems.

 

[slimjim]

so this is kind of not a good idea then?


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WELDING-M...plies_Paint&hash=item256f0011b0#ht_500wt_1180

 

[tigler]

OMG !! Would H&S even allow that ??!!

 

[penfold]

Stupid boy.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Have a look at this, in particular the last paragraph regarding reflection etc.

What types of radiation are associated with welding?

Welding arcs give off radiation over a broad range of wavelengths - from 200 nm (nanometres) to 1,400 nm (or 0.2 to 1.4 µm, micometres). This includes ultraviolet (UV) radiation (200 to 400 nm), visible light (400 to 700 nm), and infrared (IR) radiation (700 to 1,400 nm).
types of radiation are associated with welding

UV-radiation is divided into three ranges - UV-A (315 to 400 nm), UV-B (280 to 315 nm) and UV-C (100 to 280 nm). UV-C and almost all UV-B are absorbed in the cornea of the eye. UV-A passes through cornea and is absorbed in the lens of the eye.

Some UV radiation, visible light, and IR radiation can reach the retina...............

Very informative. Seems there are many variables involved from wavelength, angle of reflection, distance, what you had for breakfast, colour of your toilet paper ect....

Simple solution - cover up all naked skin. Saves worrying about the chances of burns and cancer.