(in German)

It is absolutely essential for every welder to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to prevent severe UV-induced damage to their skin and eyes. However, the risk posed by UV radiation to employees in the vicinity of welding workstations is frequently underestimated, although the exposure limits set out in the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance on Artificial Optical Radiation (Arbeitsschutzverordnung zu künstlicher optischer Strahlung, OStrV) can be exceeded even at considerable distances.

As long as the welder's direct exposure at arm’s length from the arc (50 cm) and the welding current are know, the Arc Welding Exposure Disk can be used to find the maximum permissible exposure times at distances of 1 m (welder's assistants) and 3 m (employees on workplace transport routes) without additional measurements having to be taken. It is possible to choose between the main welding methods utilised in practice (CMT, MAG, MIG, MMA, TIG, PTA) and different materials (structural steel, stainless steel, aluminium).

This allows occupational safety specialists to carry out quick, straightforward risk assessments of UV radiation at and in the vicinity of welding workstations. What is more, the Arc Welding Exposure Disk also gives welders themselves the ability to estimate their radiation risk from the arc more accurately.

The German original is available: "Arc Welding Exposure Disk"