Polytechnic University, Faculty of Human Resources Development, 2-32-1 Ogawa-nishimachi, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo 187-0035, Japan.
Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University; Human Engineering and Risk Management Research Group, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, 1-1 Minamiosawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.
Ann Work Expo Health. 2017 Oct 1;61(8):965-974. doi: 10.1093/annweh/wxx062.
The objective was to quantify the blue-light hazard from gas metal arc welding (GMAW) of aluminum alloys. The exposure level is expected to depend on the welding conditions. Therefore, it is important to identify the blue-light hazard under various welding conditions.
We experimentally conducted GMAW of aluminum alloys under various welding conditions and measured the spectral radiance of the arcs. The effective blue-light radiance, which the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has defined to quantify the exposure level of blue light, was calculated from the measured spectral radiance. The maximum acceptable exposure duration per 10000 s for this effective blue-light radiance was calculated.
The effective blue-light radiance measured in this study was in the range of 2.9-20.0 W cm-2·sr. The corresponding maximum acceptable exposure duration per 10000 s was only 5.0-34 s, so it is hazardous to view the welding arc. The effective blue-light radiance was higher at higher welding currents than at lower welding currents, when pulsed welding currents were used rather than steady welding currents, and when magnesium was included in the welding materials.
It is very hazardous to view the arcs in GMAW of aluminum alloys. Welders and their helpers should use appropriate eye protection in arc-welding operations. They should also avoid direct light exposure when starting an arc-welding operation.
量化铝合金气体金属电弧焊（GMAW）的蓝光危害。预计暴露水平将取决于焊接条件。因此，确定各种焊接条件下的蓝光危害非常重要。
我们在各种焊接条件下进行了铝合金的 GMAW 实验，并测量了电弧的光谱辐亮度。根据测量的光谱辐亮度，计算了美国政府工业卫生学家协会定义的有效蓝光辐亮度，以量化蓝光的暴露水平。计算了此有效蓝光辐亮度下每 10000 s 的最大允许暴露持续时间。
本研究中测量的有效蓝光辐亮度范围为 2.9-20.0 W cm-2·sr。相应的每 10000 s 的最大允许暴露持续时间仅为 5.0-34 s，因此观察焊接电弧是危险的。与使用稳定焊接电流相比，使用脉冲焊接电流时，以及在焊接材料中包含镁时，焊接电流越高，有效蓝光辐亮度越高。
观察铝合金 GMAW 的电弧非常危险。焊工及其助手在电弧焊接作业中应使用适当的眼部保护装置。他们还应避免在开始电弧焊接作业时直接暴露在光线下。
