what's the range of eye flash burns?

[glockdoc]

I live in a residental subdivision and do some stick welding just outside the garage. I normally burn 1/8 rods at 145amps max. The view is protected from the left or right but someone at the curb could possibly see the arc. I figure 120ft from the arc to the curb. Any possibility of flash burns at this distance? Could someone claim damages because they watched me welding while standing at the curb? What if they walked up on me in the driveway while welding? What do others take as precautions to this sort of thing? I've heard stories of cats or dogs going blind because they routinely watched someone welding.

[ASKANDY]

Well, if they watched it long enough I'd say yea... it might hurt. But overall most people would only get a short view of your weld unless they are totally mesmerized by your pretty light.

Construction workers on job sites don't seem to worry about passersby.

Maybe you could put out a small warning sign at the end of the driveway... How's that for C.Y.A.

Andy

[INTP]

I'd take the attitude that the weldor is responsible for making sure no innocent bystanders get flash burn. It's probably safe at that distance with that amperage, but why risk it? Weld up a screen.

[iso50]

I've driven past someone welding a pipe in the storm sewer that was exposed. After the brief bright flash of blue, I just looked away. It didn't effect me at all. i would say I was about 10ft away

[fun4now]

curtin

i got 1 of thouse see through welding curtins on e-bay for about $30.00 it is the dore to my shop so if the wife or kid come to get me they dont get flashed. at curb distance they could stand and watch the prity lights without much risk. and the curtin is prity cool looking. you might consider one on rolers so you can take it in and out without much truble.

[BCarlucci]

If i have my garage door open i put up my Red screened see through welding curtian just so anyone walking up to me doesn't have to be "blinded by the light", also i have a 7 year old boxer and she's constantly around me welding, and she can still catch that popcorn or doggy treat in mid air, so i think if your dog/cat looks at the light your welding, you don't have a very bright dog, i know most them/like mine/ just lay down facing away from you. Anyway the curtain is the way to go, if you can't find it on e-bay they sell them online and in your local welding shop.

Brian

[karish]

We were taught in class to always yell "COVER!" before striking an arc. It's such a habit now that I do it in my garage even when no one else is home. You can't see my garage from the street, and I don't have many passersby (especailly during the 7 months with snow on the ground), but I'd hate to blind a moose

[Tanner]

Originally posted by karish
We were taught in class to always yell "COVER!" before striking an arc.

That makes two of us then!

[slagindaboot]

A little hint on screens that may not be obvious to all. Attach the screen to the frame at the top only. This will allow it to flap in the breeze instead of being blown over as it would otherwise do unless the base was made very wide or heavy.

[fun4now]

yell

last thing i was tought to yell was grenade !!!!
the problem with yelling cover is that most passer dy's wont get it anyway
some people are too dumb for there own good so a screen would be a good way to CYA . if they can see through the screen then they wont do somthing stupid like walk up and look around it to see what you are doing.

you could drum up some side work for yourself by showing off the fact you can weld in your garage with a see through screen also.


slag
you have a good point about flapping but you should atach the center on a short rope so it stays down some to maintain cover. but alowing the sides to let the wind pass.