OSHA Standard Number - 1910.133

OSHA Standard Number - 1910.133
Welding Shades Information and Color Guide:

 

Protecting welders eyes from the light given off during most welding processes is a serious concern, since the light produced during these processes can be as bright as the sun itself. OSHA outlines the criteria required for employers and also offers some helpful advice in choosing the appropriate filter for your welding operation:

The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses equipment with filter lenses that have a shade number appropriate for the work being performed for protection from injurious light radiation. The following is a listing of appropriate shade numbers for various operations.

Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy

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Minimum(*)

Operations Electrode Size 1/32 in. Arc Current Protective

Shade

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Shielded metal

arc welding Less than 3 ......... Less than 60 ... 7

3-5 ................. 60-160 ......... 8

5-8 ................. 160-250 ........ 10

More than 8 ......... 250-550 ........ 11

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Gas metal arc

welding and

flux cored

arc welding less than 60 ... 7

60-160 ......... 10

160-250 ........ 10

250-500 ........ 10

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Gas Tungsten

arc welding less than 50 ... 8

50-150 ......... 8

150-500 ........ 10

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Air carbon (Light) ............. less than 500 .. 10

Arc cutting (Heavy) ............. 500-1000 ....... 11

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Plasma arc welding less than 20 ... 6

20-100 ......... 8

100-400 ........ 10

400-800 ........ 11

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Plasma arc (light)(**) ......... less than 300 .. 8

cutting (medium)(**) ........ 300-400 ........ 9

(heavy)(**) ......... 400-800 ........ 10

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Torch brazing ................ 3

Torch soldering ................ 2

Carbon arc welding ................ 14

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Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy

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Minimum(*)

Operations Plate thickness-inches Plate thickness-mm Protective

Shade

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Gas Welding:

Light Under 1/8 ............ Under 3.2 ......... 4

Medium 1/8 to 1/2 ........... 3.2 to 12.7 ....... 5

Heavy Over 1/2 ............. Over 12.7 ......... 6

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Oxygen cutting:

Light Under 1 .............. Under 25 .......... 3

Medium 1 to 6 ............... 25 to 150 ......... 4

Heavy Over 6 ............... Over 150 .......... 5

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Footnote(*) As a rule of thumb, start with a shade that is too dark to see the weld zone. Then go to a lighter shade which gives sufficient view of the weld zone without going below the minimum. In oxyfuel gas welding or cutting where the torch produces a high yellow light, it is desirable to use a filter lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in the visible light of the (spectrum) operation.

Footnote(**) These values apply where the actual arc is clearly seen. Experience has shown that lighter filters may be used when the arc is hidden by the workpiece.

For the entire document please see: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9778#1910.133(a)(5)