Derivation of maximum permissive switching time for automatic welding filter based on retinal thermal and blue light exposure limits

Abstract

Automatic welding filters are intended to protect the eyes of the welder from optical radiation generated by the welding process. Safety standards for automatic welding filters (AWFs) have been developed worldwide. However, switching time requirements have not been studied considering the exposure limits established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) or the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). The aim of this study is to derive the maximum permissive switching time based on ICNIRP guidelines for exposure to intense optical radiation. The single and cumulative exposures associated with retinal thermal and blue light hazards were assessed in the welding environment. The results show that the maximum switching time is inversely proportional to the exponential function of the shade number difference. The proposed maximum switching time, 1/2 to 1/10 smaller than the current ISO, is derived from the effective blue light radiance limits. In addition, an evaluation of the periodic short circuit welding indicates that AWFs do not transmit hazardous levels of radiation in the dark state.