OSHA 10-Hour Construction ReviewPersonal Protective Equipment (PPE)Medium
A construction worker is performing tasks that involve potential exposure to molten metal splashes during welding operations. Which type of eye and face protection is most appropriate for this hazard?
- AChemical splash goggles
- BWelding helmet with appropriate filter lens
- CSafety spectacles with side shields
- DFace shield worn over safety spectacles
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Welding helmet with appropriate filter lens
Molten metal splashes and intense light from welding operations require specialized protection. A welding helmet with an appropriate filter lens provides full face and eye protection from radiant energy, sparks, and molten metal.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Chemical splash goggles protect against liquid splashes but are not designed for the heat, intense light, or impact from molten metal in welding.
- C. Safety spectacles provide basic impact protection but are insufficient for molten metal splashes and intense light from welding.
- D. A face shield provides face protection but typically does not offer adequate optical density for welding and may not fully contain molten splashes without additional specialized features.
Welding Eye/Face Protection
Welding operations require specialized eye and face protection, such as a welding helmet with an appropriate filter lens, to guard against intense light, radiant energy, sparks, and molten metal.
- Protects against intense light and UV/IR radiation
- Shields face from sparks and molten metal
- Filter lens optical density must match welding process
Memory trick: Welding needs a complete shield.