Light and Heat Radiation Electric arc welding and cutting processes produce all three forms of radiation, UV, visible and IR. Arc welding, therefore, presents a greater hazard than fuel gas processes, which only produce visible and IR radiation. Some of the injuries that can occur include 'Erythema', burning of the skin. Eye problems that can be caused by radiation from welding arcs include, 'Arc Eye' from UV, 'Cataracts' from UV and IR, and 'Retinal Burns' from both visible or IR radiation. Of these non-ionizing types of radiation, UV is the most likely to cause injury, primarily because its effects are not noticed by any of the senses at the time of exposure and only become apparent sometime later.
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