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If you work with welding equipment, it’s essential to wear appropriate protective gear, including welding safety glasses. But with different types of welding processes producing various levels of light and radiation, it can be challenging to determine which shade of lens is suitable for your tasks.
Welding safety glasses come in a range of shades, from clear to very dark. The shade number indicates the degree of darkness of the lens, with higher numbers indicating darker lenses. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provide guidelines on the recommended shade number for specific welding processes.
Before purchasing any lenses or glasses for torching, ensure they provide the necessary infrared (IR) protection. Since most torches emit harmful IR radiation, green lenses are ideal for protecting your eyes.
Your choice of shade will depend on your torch and personal preferences. While different individuals may use varying shades for the same torch, the shades will generally be in the same range.
Once you have a shade to start with, it’s essential to test it out and see if it suits your needs. Many people try a few different shades before settling on the one that works best for them. Don’t hesitate to experiment until you find the perfect shade.
It’s important to note that the shade number recommendations are not absolute, and other factors can influence the selection of welding safety glasses. For instance, if you have sensitivity to light or a pre-existing eye condition, you may require a darker shade lens than what’s recommended for the welding process.
Welding green lenses and welding cobalt blue lenses are both options for protecting your eyes while torching or welding. However, they differ in their purposes and applications.
Green lenses are the most common type of lenses used in welding safety glasses. They protect against harmful UV and IR radiation emitted by torches and are ideal for general welding and torching tasks. They allow for better color recognition, making them useful for welders who need to see their workpiece’s natural colors accurately. Green lenses come in various shades, with darker shades offering more protection.
Cobalt blue lenses, on the other hand, are less common than green lenses but provide better protection against bright flashes of light, particularly in gas welding or brazing. They provide InfraRed and UV radiance protection and are commonly used for molten metal, observation, foundries, steel, glassworks, and fiberglass. They also improve color perception and reduce eye strain, making them a great option for workers who need to perform detailed work.
When deciding between welding green lenses and welding cobalt blue lenses, consider the specific task you will be performing and the type of radiation you will be exposed to.
In addition to selecting the appropriate shade of welding safety glasses, it’s crucial to ensure that the glasses fit well and are comfortable to wear. Ill-fitting glasses can cause discomfort, distortion, or gaps that allow harmful radiation to enter the eyes. Here at Phillips Safety you find a wide collection of welding glasses with various shapes, sizes, and features to choose from.
In conclusion, selecting the right shade of welding safety glasses is vital for protecting your eyes from the hazards of welding. By following the ANSI and OSHA guidelines and considering your specific work conditions and eye health, you can choose the appropriate lens shade and minimize the risk of eye injuries.
We are confident that at Phillips Safety you will find the perfect welding glasses for your needs with the features and specifications you will love. If you need help or more information about our welding glasses and how to choose the ideal pair for you, we are just one click away: talk to us through our chat, e-mail us at service@phillips-safety.com, or call us at 1-866-575-1307.
