Abstract
This study attempted to quantify the irradiance levels of ultraviolet A (UV-A) and ultraviolet C (UV-C) from the shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process to welders in Accra, Ghana. Exposures were assessed via measurements, observations, and interviews. The assessments were done based on safe exposure levels prescribed by recognized international organizations such as the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Results from the measured UV-C irradiance levels E UV-C ranged between 0.16 ± 0.08 W/m 2 and 10.46 ± 1.96 W/m 2 with its corresponding permissible exposure duration t max‑UV‑C per day ranging from 5.74 s to 367.35 s. The measured UV-A irradiance levels E UV‑A ranged from 0.88 ± 0.03 W/m 2 to 23.72 ± 6.66 W/m 2 with its corresponding permissible exposure duration t max‑UV‑A per day ranging from 421.59 s to 11,363.64 s. The obtained effective irradiance E eff has a range of 2.08 W/m 2 to 28.79 W/m 2 with the range of permissible exposure duration t max per day of 1.04 s to 14.40 s. It was found that the total exposure time of the welders exceeded the permissible exposure durations and that the safety practices among the welders were unsatisfactory.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
