Welding goggles are made to protect the wearer from facial and eye injury caused by flying shrapnel, heat or harmful radiation. It is necessary that this protective device is cared for and maintained according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. It is also important to carefully inspect them on a regular basis for scratches, cracks and other defects and to test their comfort when worn. Defective goggles will reduce the efficiency of the goggles and might not only lead to a poor weld but could potentially be a source of grave injury to the welder.
The choice of material used in the manufacture of the goggles will determine what kind of maintenance they would require. Goggles made of anti scratch (hard coated) lenses are less liable to scratch.
In caring for welding goggles, a few basic procedures need to be observed. For instance cleaning the welding goggles should be done on a daily basis to rid it of slag and dust. Cleaning can be done using a clean cloth or as specified by the manufacturer. Dirty lenses will impair vision and lead to errors in the weld.
Lenses that are scratched weaken the shade power of the goggles and lead to exposure to dangerous ultraviolet rays, infrared and bright lights. They reduce the vision of the wearer, which can also lead to a weak weld. Therefore it is important that welding safety goggles are handled with care to prevent scratching.
The storage of welding safety goggles constitute an important element in caring for your goggles. How they are stored will go a long way in determining their lifespan. Safety goggles should be stored in a dry, clean place and should be kept in a soft case when they are not in use so that even if they should fall, they will be in their protective case and kept safe from damage. Poor storage of the welding goggles will lead to scratches on the lens surface and a weakening of the shade power of the lens.
If for some reason, the welding safety goggle should get damaged, the damaged part should promptly be replaced with an original and identical part from the manufacturer. Failure to replace damaged parts impairs the efficiency and reduces the safety element of the goggle, resulting in potential eye damage for the wearer.
From time to time, goggles should be disinfected using a general disinfectant. On the other hand, they could either be placed at 100 degrees C for about an hour or in an ultraviolet light germicide chamber.
According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) 29CFR1910.133, it is the duty of the employer to clean, disinfect and store safety goggles. It is also the employer’s duty to inspect the goggles for cracks, scratch and other defects and carry out repairs or replacement accordingly. If you work with welding safety goggles however, you should take it upon yourself to regularly check any goggle you wear. Your eyes are your responsibility.
Sharon J. Ropp works with Bakers Safety as a public relations consultant. More information about Bakers Safety can be found at https://www.gogglespro.com/