Safety and Health

Fact Sheet No. 2 October 2003

© 2003 American Welding Society

Radiation

INTRODUCTION
• Ionizing (such as X-rays).
Most arc welding and cutting processes,
laser welding, and torch welding, cutting, • Nonionizing (such as ultraviolet, visible
and brazing, or soldering produce light, or infrared).
quantities of radiation requiring
precautionary measures. Some IONIZING RADIATION
processes, such as resistance welding and
cold pressure welding, ordinarily produce • Produced by the electron beam welding
negligible quantities of radiant energy. process.

DEFINITION • Controlled within acceptable limits by

using suitable shielding around the
Radiation is electromagnetic energy given electron beam welding area.
off by the arc or flame that can injure eyes
and burn skin. An operator sees visible • Produced during grinding (pointing) of
light radiation. However, he does not see thoriated tungsten electrodes for Gas
ultraviolet or infrared radiation. Radiation Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) process
is often silent and undetected, yet injury -- the grinding dust is radioactive.
occurs. Have all users learn about the
effects of radiation. • Controlled by using local exhaust and, if
necessary, an approved respirator.
EFFECTS OF RADIATION
NONIONIZING RADIATION
The effects of radiation depend on the
wavelength, intensity, and length of time • Intensity and wavelength of energy
one is exposed to the radiant energy. produced depend on the process,
Although a variety of effects is possible, welding parameters, electrode and
the following two injuries are most base metal composition, fluxes, and
common: any coatings or plating on the base
material.
• Skin burns.
• Ultraviolet radiation increases
• Eye damage. approximately as the square of the
welding current.
TYPES OF RADIATION
• Visible brightness (luminance) of the
There are two types of radiation associated arc increases at a much lower rate.
with welding operations:
AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect,
consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this Safety and Health Fact Sheet.
AWS also makes no guaranty or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.

Fact Sheet No. 2 — 10/03 Page 1

• Processes using argon produce larger • Locate welding operations so that other
amounts of ultraviolet radiation than workers are not exposed to either direct
those using most other shielding gases. or reflected radiation. Use screens,
curtains, or adequate distances from
HOW TO PROTECT AGAINST IONIZING other work stations, aisles, or walkways
RADIATION to avoid exposure.

• Required protection varies with time of • Wear safety glasses with UV protective
exposure, distance from source, and side shields in addition to a proper
shielding used. welding helmet with filter plate. The
side shields provide needed protection
• Follow recommended procedures in from reflected radiation.
AWS F2.1.
• Have all persons wear safety glasses
• When grinding (pointing) thoriated with UV protective side shields anytime
tungsten electrodes, always use local near welding or cutting areas.
exhaust and, if necessary, respiratory
protection to prevent inhalation of dust. • Choose safety glasses according to
ANSI Z87.1.
• External radiation from thoriated
tungsten electrodes during storage, INFORMATION SOURCES ON
welding, or disposal of residues is NONIONIZING RADIATION
negligible under normal conditions.
American Welding Society (AWS).
HOW TO PROTECT AGAINST NON- Recommended Practices for Electron
IONIZING RADIATION Beam Welding (AWS C7.1), published by
the American Welding Society, 550 NW
• Use welding helmet with correct shade LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126;
of filter plate according to ANSI Z87.1. telephone 800-443-9353; Web site:
www.aws.org.
Note: Transparent welding curtains are
not intended as welding filter plates, but International Institute of Welding (IIW).
rather are intended to protect Statement from Commission VIII, Health
passersby from incidental exposure. and Safety 2000. Welding with Non-
Consumable Thoriated Tungsten
• Protect exposed skin with adequate Electrodes. Document IIW-VIII-1901-00.
gloves and clothing according to ANSI np: np.
Z49.1.
Manufacturers’ Product Information
• Be aware of reflections from welding Literature
arcs, and protect all persons from
intense reflections. INFORMATION SOURCES ON
NONIONIZING RADIATION
Note: Paints using titanium dioxide or
zinc oxide as major pigmentation media American National Standards Institute
have a low reflectance for ultraviolet (ANSI). Practice for Occupational and
radiation. Educational Eye and Face Protection
AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect,
consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this Safety and Health Fact Sheet.
AWS also makes no guaranty or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.

Fact Sheet No. 2 — 10/03 Page 2

(ANSI Z87.1), available from ANSI, 25 Arcs, Nonionizing Radiation Protection
West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036 Special Study No. 42-0053-77, NTIS,
(telephone: 212-642-4900; web site: Springfield, VA (telephone: 703-605-6000;
www.ansi.org). web site: www.ntis.gov).

American National Standards Institute National Technical Information Service

(ANSI). Safety in Welding, Cutting, and (NTIS). Evaluation of the Potential Retinal
Allied Processes (ANSI Z49.1), published Hazards from Optical Radiation Generated
by the American Welding Society, 550 NW by Electric Welding and Cutting Arcs,
LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126; Nonionizing Radiation Protection Special
telephone 800-443-9353; Web site: Study No. 42-0312-77, NTIS, Springfield,
www.aws.org. VA (telephone: 703-605-6000; web site:
www.ntis.gov).
American National Standards Institute
(ANSI). Safe Use of Lasers (ANSI Sliney, D. H. and Freasier, B. C. Evaluation
Z136.1), available from ANSI, 25 West 43rd of Optical Radiation Hazards, Applied
Street, New York, NY 10036 (telephone: Optics, Vol 12, pp. 1-24, January 1973.
212-642-4900; web site: www.ansi.org).
Naidoff, M. A. and Sliney, D. H. Retinal
Hinrichs, J. F. Project Committee on Injury from a Welding Arc, American
Radiation - Summary Report, Welding Journal of Ophthalmology, Vol. 77, No. 5,
Journal 57(62): 1978 (telephone 800-443- pp. 663-668, May 1974.
9353; web site: www.aws.org).
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Moss, C. E. Optical Radiation (MSHA). Code of Federal Regulations,
Transmission Levels Through Transparent Title 30 Mineral Resources, Parts 1 to 199,
Welding Curtains, Welding Journal 58(69- available from the U.S. Government
75s): 1979 (telephone 800-443-9353; web Printing Office, Superintendent of
site: www.aws.org). Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh,
PA 15250-7954 (telephone: 202-693-9400;
Moss, C. E., et al. Optical Radiation Levels web site: www.msha.gov).
Produced by Air-Carbon Arc Cutting
Processes, Welding Journal 59(43-46): American Welding Society (AWS).
1980 (telephone 800-443-9353; web site: Ultraviolet Reflectance of Paint, published
www.aws.org). by the American Welding Society, 550 NW
LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126;
Moss, C. E. and Murray, W. E. Optical telephone 800-443-9353; Web site:
Radiation Levels Produced in Gas www.aws.org.
Welding, Torch Brazing and Oxygen
Cutting, Welding Journal 89(37-46): 1979
(telephone 800-443-9353; web site:
www.aws.org).

National Technical Information Service

(NTIS). Evaluation of the Potential
Hazards from Actinic Ultraviolet Radiation
Generated by Electric Welding and Cutting
AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect,
consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this Safety and Health Fact Sheet.
AWS also makes no guaranty or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.

Fact Sheet No. 2 — 10/03 Page 3