EFFECTS OF ARC RADIATION AND HEAT ON WELDERS

A literature review was conducted to determine the effects of arc radiation and heat on the health, safety, and comfort of welders. The direct effects of arc radiation are discussed as a function of the wavelength and intensity at which energy is radiated from welding arcs. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation present potential problems because of their effects on the eyes, skin, and other parts of the body; however, the protective equipment and clothing to minimize or eliminate such problems is readily available. Visible radiation does not appear to be hazardous, but it does produce vision-obstructing glare, eye discomfort, and fatigue. The physical and process-oriented variables that affect arc radiation are discussed, and the specific effects of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared radiation on welder physiology are viewed. In addition to its direct effect on welder health and safety, ultraviolet radiation reacts with atmospheric oxygen and the chlorinated hydrocarbons that are used to clean metal surfaces to produce gases that may be hazardous. These reactions and their dependence on the welding and process variables are discussed along with a review of the physiological effects associated with the presence of these gases in the welding environment. The effects of heat are more difficult to assess than those associated with radiation, because psychological as well as physiological reactions that may adversely affect efficiency and production capacity can occur. Information concerned directly with the effect of heat on welders is limited. However, research has been undertaken by others to: (1) develop methods to measure the performance of humans who are subjected to high heat levels, (2) validate these methods by experimental studies, and (3) plan corrective actions based on the resulting data. These studies and their applicability to welding are discussed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00432296
• Corporate Authors:

  American Welding Society

  2501 NW 7th Street
  Miami, FL  United States  33125
• Authors:
  • Pattee, H E
  • MYERS, L B
  • Evans, R M
  • Monroe, R E
• Publication Date: 1973-5

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 297-308
• Serial:
  • Welding Journal
  • Volume: 52
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: American Welding Society
  • ISSN: 0043-2296

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electric arc welding; Safety; Welding
• Old TRIS Terms: Arc radiation; Welder safety
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00047669
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Welding Society
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 31 1973 12:00AM