Flash Burn?

[Corningagman]

Student example!!!

I am a metal shop teacher in northern Ca. The other day I was demostrating how to strike an arc SMAW, and then running a bead. I don't have enough welding helmets for all my students and I told them to take turns and I will strike an arc and runs some beads numerous times. Well one studet decided that he was to tough to use a helmet, he watched me run eight beads without an helmet. The next day the woodshop teacher comes and gets me to take to his shop and told me to go and look at this student who decided not to where a hood. As soon as the I saw this student you could tell he was in a great deal of pain with just the light in the shop. He had gotten flashburn and it was bad. Here is the kicker this student welds on his own at home with his family, he knew what would happen and did nothing about it. Bottum line is now I have a good example for other students to ask and see how important eye protection really is. From day one of school I have told my students that the pretty blue light can be mesmorizing but don't stare at without proper eye protection. I also tell my students all the time, you only have two eyes for the rest of your life protect them at all costs!

[HaroldL.]

The majority of welders get flash burn due to indirect exposure.
UV radiation (the cause of the whole problem) bounces of from walls, surfaces etc. etc.
Some materials cause much faster flash burn then other materials.
Copper (brass) and Aluminium are some of the worst.
Never think your safe when you stand in the area where there is some welding going on.
Also a lot of welders are still using the wrong grade of shades.
Flash burn will leave a permanent mark on your eyes.
Always use the proper PPE and don't take any risks with your eyes.

[kmomaha]

Watched my Granpa weld one day when I was 6 or 7. That night my eyes were like they had knives stuck in them and had the worst headache ever. Folks had to take me to emergency room to get pain shot. Learned the hard way. Yeh! I still tack every once in awhile without the helmet....lazy.

My biggest thing is grinding dust. My eyes are in misery after a good day of grinding. Even use a face shield. Dust just drifts up and under or the grit richochets up under it. Looking for some desert goggles that fit tight and are dust proof. I have a powerful magnet out of a computer hard drive that I keep around has saved me a few times, but a chance it's a carbide grit too.

[SundownIII]

Just keep in mind that the only thing I can think of being worse than dumb, is being dumb and BLIND.

From some of the comments here, it sounds like a few have the first down pat.

[usmcruz]

Forget those quack remedies, or old welding bushman tricks, and get yourselve's some naphcon eye drops to immediately alleve the pain and burning, and then go out and get yourself some common sense about welding without a hood.

[jessehornberger]

burning eyes

In my early days of welding (back in high school), I did not like to wear a helmet when tack welding. I was getting flash burn to extreme levels and often. I would wake up in the morning and not be able to open my eyes due to all the hard crusted eye-goobers on my eyelids. I am thankful i did not do any Permanent damage! One of my methods for healing was to put antibiotic ointment on my eyelids…it is made for minor burns. Found that it would heal in about 24hours. I finally got smart enough to wear a helmet. Helmets are made for a reason….Where them!

[welderIVlife]

flash burn

i have been a welder for some time now and gotten flash burn 3 times twice when i first started and once welding next to other people on a line with no curtain. it feels like sand is in your eyes and burn like **** but what i use was potatoe slices, believe it or not it really does work. it draws the burning feeling from your eyes. just my 2 cents.

[tomasharvey]

"A quick direct look at the sun...will prevent flash burn" you are a raving idiot! That is like saying that if you get a slag burn, you should just hit it with a blast from your O/A torch. Like more burn will take away the burn! The folk remedies posted here are downright scary! Get an opinion from a qualified professional!

Plus your really screwed if your working the night shift or it's a cloudy day...then you have to call in sick...tell them your waiting for a sunny day so you can go outside and stare at the sun to relieve your flash burn...

[Grumpy]

You don't need to shut your eyes tighter - you need to wear your helmet. Don't get caught up in some kind of macho nonsense about not using safety equipment. "Macho" don't help you carry a white cane!

Quit watching those stupid TV shows where no one wears a helmet. Don't do as they do do what's right for your eyes. Those type of TV shows should be banned unless they are using the proper safety equipment. Wear that HELMET!!!

[ligito]

An old friend told me about his always carrying the head of a ball peen hammer on his belt.
When his eyes got hot he would put the flat end against his eyes to soothe them.

[mikeswelding]

Cold tea bags can be used to help relieve pain if nothing else is available.
There should be a cream or drops on sale at chemists for this problem.
Have been told a quick direct look at the sun, on receiving a flash will
prevent flash burn,I have done this many times and have had no problems.
Looking at the reflection of welding of a bright surface,like corrugated
iron can result in a bad flash burn.

R W

"A quick direct look at the sun...will prevent flash burn" you are a raving idiot! That is like saying that if you get a slag burn, you should just hit it with a blast from your O/A torch. Like more burn will take away the burn! The folk remedies posted here are downright scary! Get an opinion from a qualified professional!

[m.k.swelding]

you know you have been burn when the layers on your eyes start to peel. Trust me it hurts.

[Wicked one]

Being a Welder Tech, I seem to get flashed more often than I would have liked. Idiot welders showing me what the arc is doing before I am ready.

I've tried near everything including the potatoe trick. There is an eye gell you can get on prescription, and thats the only thing thats worked over the years. Helps if you wash your eyes out just after the flash, as they will bulge and dry out real quickly

Ponticain is the name of the gel. It also works well to clot blood after you punch the guy in the eye for flashing you!!!

[cruizer]

Being a Welder Tech, I seem to get flashed more often than I would have liked. Idiot welders showing me what the arc is doing before I am ready.

I've tried near everything including the potatoe trick. There is an eye gell you can get on prescription, and thats the only thing thats worked over the years. Helps if you wash your eyes out just after the flash, as they will bulge and dry out real quickly

[urch55]

Safety ..Forsight is better than nosight

Ya I dont think I will be tacking with out good protection. If I need to i can just shut my eyes a bit tighter :P

NO NO NO.!!You wear your welding helmet or you are fired. No excuses.!!!!! What are you going to say if your eyes get burnt out "whoops" Yea that does a lot of good. There is no job or person worth your eye sight.. Don't make us fellow welders come over there and shove the safety rules down your throat... Hmmm that sounded odd. Well anyway you get the picture..
I have heard that raw slices of potatos takes the burn out , hey just think then you can have some chips later..
Bob