Plasma Cutting Eye Protection Requirements

Yes plasma arc can burn your eyes.

Plasma cutting eye protection requirements.

You need to shield your eyes and face with proper plasma cutting glasses goggles and or helmet. Leather gloves an apron and a jacket are also recommended to prevent burns from sparks and hot metal. What kind of eye protection do you need for a plasma cutter. Safety is of utmost priority when performing plasma cutting.

These include osha and ansi. The chart below outlines their recommendations for eye protection when plasma cutting. Proper plasma safety requires protecting your eyes face and your exposed skin. Working in a clean area free of flammable liquids materials and gases is very important.

For maximum protection use a face shield over your safety glasses it s not just your eyes you need to be concerned about. The following information comes from the osha fact sheet eye protection against radiant energy during welding and cutting in shipyard employment and also references the ansi numbers. Plasma cutters give off a very similar arc to welding so it is good practice to wear something like this. 1910 133 a 1 the employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles molten metal liquid chemicals acids or caustic liquids chemical gases or vapors or potentially injurious light radiation.

The combined shade numbers of the lenses in the eyewear and helmet should equal the value shown in the tables below see 29 cfr 1915 153 a 4 and ansi z49 1 2005 safety in welding cutting and allied processes. Longevity global inc another manufacturer offers this more specific table for eye protection for plasma arc cutting at lower amperages. With the advancement of technology various welding equipment as well as plasma cutters are widely used in the home shops and cutting industries the plasma cutter is not only a useful equipment but can also be a dangerous tool if proper safety precautions aren t taken while working with it. Most people use an old welding shield with a 5 lens to protect their eyes during plasma cutting.

If you use only torch goggles or safety glasses you ll get a nice sunburn on your face and neck in as little as 10 minutes of cutting. I wear a 8 shade full face shield plus my clear safety glasses under it. If you only use torch goggles your face and neck will be sunburned after 10 minutes of cutting. Recommended eye protection for plasma cutting there are a few sources of recommendations that everyone should be aware of.

It takes a little getting use to the dark shade at first but if you can see at all you ll do ok.