Clearing up confusion between IR and welding eye protection

Not all shaded or tinted safety eyewear is created equal – especially when it comes to proper eye protection for IR and welding applications.

We see this confusion happen a lot out in the field. What starts as a request for IR specs by a customer turns into a need for a welding shade once our team gets a better understanding of the application the eyewear will be used for.

To help ensure proper eye protection is being worn, we want to help you understand the difference between an IR spec and a weld shade. And to be clear, we will specifically be talking about safety glasses, not welding hoods, in this blog.

Infrared (IR) vs. welding – Hazard comparison

IR and welding protection safety glasses protect against similar hazards – hence the confusion. But they are different – and understanding that difference can be all it takes to save an injury.

Starting with welding, a weld shade is designed to protect a worker’s eyes from various hazards during welding operations. Shades are classified on a numeric scale that’s tested and determined by ANSI Z87.1 to help safety managers choose how much protection is needed per welding application.

For example, a weld shade 3.0 is needed whenever there is welding going on around you or if the job you are performing requires a lower weld shade number.

Welding shades provide protection against four hazards:

1. IR radiation (heat of the weld)
2. Glare (light of the weld)
3. Sparks
4. UV radiation

When it comes to IR, there’s a separate category and standard for IR shades. IR shades are meant for glass blowing, foundry work, etc. where eyes need more protection from a heat source.

IR shades provide protection against two hazards:

1. IR radiation
2. Glare

Note that you can use a weld shade for IR applications. Testing is the same, but you will have more protection. Plus, welding shades may filter out too much visible light if you only need IR protection, and this could put you at risk. These considerations mean you cannot use an IR spec in welding applications.

Because OSHA only gives guidelines for what safety eyewear is needed per application, a safety manager must vet the proper PPE for these applications by referencing ANSI Z87.1, ANSI Z49.1, and OSHA.

HexArmor® can help

A new generation of welding protection eyewear is available only from HexArmor® – a welding shade with a grey-tinted lens combined with permanent anti-fog protection and scratch resistance.

The innovative technology delivers protection against unexpected light glare, UV, infrared rays, and sparks – all while maintaining fog-free lenses with perfect color recognition when compared to welding shades with green lenses.

Available in a weld shade 1.7 and 3.0, these polycarbonate welding lenses keep you safe and in compliance when there is welding, torching, cutting, and grinding going on around you or if the weld you are performing requires a lower weld shade number per OSHA.

Learn more below.