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Industrial Arc Welding

Electric welding arcs are strong sources of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) – they represent the most significant source of potential UVR exposure.  The levels of UVR near arc welding equipment are very high, and acute injury to the eye and skin can occur within three to ten minutes of exposure at close viewing distances of a few metres.  The intense visible light from electric arcs can also damage the retina.  Gas welding and cutting torches do not produce high levels of UVR.

Other potential sources of ultraviolet radiation are from arc lamps used in some specialized projection and illumination systems and in lithography – the printing industry.