- Project number: F 2422
- Institution: Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)
- Status: Completed Project
Description:
On the basis of gonioreflectometric examinations of surfaces at welding workplaces and their surroundings, it was possible to create a basic database which, along with the direct exposure due to the arc, allows for an estimation of the indirect irradiation caused by reflections of optical radiation. Taking the reflected UV radiation into account, exemplary calculations demonstrated that in certain situations, an increase in exposure to the order of around 10% can arise, accompanied by a 10% reduction in the maximum permissible exposure duration. Using the experimental results allowed identifying materials, surfaces and wall coatings with a low level of UV reflectance.
In addition to surface reflections, the transmission properties, in particular those of protective clothing used by welders, were also examined. Apart from a few exceptions, the textiles from the sample can be considered UV-opaque. The required protection level against UV radiation is therefore largely fulfilled.
Due to a lack of concepts to quantify textile photoprotection provided by workwear against artificial UV radiation, a welding ultraviolet protection factor (wUPF), which can be greatly simplified, was developed on the basis of the solar ultraviolet protection factor (UPF).
