OSHA requires specific eye protection to ensure workers are safe. As a rule of thumb, start with a shade that is too dark to see the weld zone. Then, go to a lighter shade that gives a sufficient view of the weld zone without going below the minimum. During oxygen gas welding or cutting, where the torch produces a high yellow light, it is recommended to use a filter lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in the visible light (spectrum) of the operation.
ANSI Z87.1 Standards
ANSI Z87.1 ensures that helmets and lenses have passed independent testing to show they can survive high velocity impact from flying objects, provide 100% ultraviolet and infrared filtering regardless of shade setting, and meet advertised switching speeds and darkness shades in temperatures as low as 23° F and high as 131° F. An ANSI Z87.1+ marking indicates a high-impact rating for cutting and grinding. All Miller welding helmets and glasses meet the ANSI Z87.1+ standards.
Filter Lens Guidelines