Prepare for the Safety Trained Supervisor Exam. Utilize a quiz with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Ensure your readiness for the exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What type of radiation from welding is considered the most damaging to the eyes?

  1. Ultraviolet

  2. Infrared

  3. Visible light

  4. X-rays

The correct answer is: Infrared

The type of radiation from welding considered the most damaging to the eyes is ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet (UV) light can cause significant harm to the eyes, particularly through a condition known as flash burn or welder's flash, which is akin to sunburn but affects the cornea of the eyes. This condition can lead to intense pain, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision, and its effects may not be felt immediately, making it deceptively dangerous. Additionally, UV radiation contributes to long-term health issues, such as cataracts, and may increase the risk of developing other eye conditions over time. Therefore, protective measures such as wearing appropriate safety goggles or shields that filter UV radiation are essential in welding operations to safeguard eye health. Infrared radiation primarily contributes to heat but is not typically cited as the most damaging to the eyes in the context of welding. Visible light is also relevant, but it does not pose the same risk for direct eye injuries as UV radiation does. X-rays can be harmful but are not a common risk associated specifically with welding, making ultraviolet the most critical type of radiation to protect against in this context.