Alert 10 – 22 Welder’s Flash (Photokeratitis)
WHAT HAPPENED:
While welders were making modifications to the lines and collector for an additional mud tank. A welder’s assistant was assisting the welder by holding the lines and collectors of the centrifuge pump so that they could be welded in place. The helper wasn’t wearing the appropriate PPE (welding shield) instead he improvised his own mask using his dark safety glasses and a piece of dark glass (obtained from a broken welder’s mask). Every time the welder struck an arc, the helper would place the improvised shield in front of his face. Due to the inadequate improvised shield, the worker later suffered welder’s flash (pain, sensation of dirt particles, photophobia, and difficulty opening eyes) in both eyes.