Welding and UV Hazards

Protection from Ultra Violet Radiation during welding

• Working close to the arc
• Increased arc energy
• Arc duration or electrical current
• Welding aluminum (as opposed to other metals, such as stainless steel or iron)
• Using argon as the shielding gas (rather than helium)

Ultra Violet Radiation is produced by arc welding processes that include manual metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, and gas metal arc welding (which emits the most radiation and is generally used for welding aluminum).
It should be noted that not all welding processes involve striking an arc.
Other forms of welding (eg, oxyacetylene, friction stir, resistance, friction, laser and electron-beam welding) produce minimal Ultra Violet Radiation.
Suitable means of protection from Ultra Violet Radiation exposure while arc welding include wearing protective gloves together with clothing that covers the arms and forearms down to the gloves.
However, the radiant heat from welding can be quite uncomfortable, and welding on a hot day compounds the problem.
Discarding heavy welders clothing and gloves in favour of short-sleeved shirts (unbuttoned at the top) exposes the hands, forearms, neck and manubrium to a considerably increased level of Ultra Violet Radiation.
Wearing protective clothing while welding is a hindrance not only for full-time welders.
Other tradespeople who perform welding occasionally (eg, motor mechanics) find it inconvenient to put on protective clothing, while sculptors and tradespeople doing highly intricate work also experience difficulty in achieving fine detail when wearing heavy clothing and thick gloves.
Most welders are invariably trained in health and safety issues, assistants or other workers in the vicinity may not be aware of the possible risks.

Although there remain many unanswered questions regarding arc welding and skin cancer risk, certain principles should be considered in managing patients with skin cancer:
When patients with skin cancer deny a significant history of sun exposure, arc welding should be considered as a possible cause.
Welders should be advised about skin protection and welding barrier cream (using a combination of appropriate clothing and sunscreen) when welding.
Some readily available sunscreens have broad-spectrum coverage that includes the full range of Ultra Violet Radiation.
Workers welding aluminum should be advised that they are at greatest risk of exposure to artificial Ultra Violet Radiation and need heavy protection.
Observing part-time welders who do not adequately protect themselves.
Examining for atypical naevi as well as actinic keratoses, non-melanoma skin cancer
and melanoma, with histological confirmation of any suspicious lesions.