Semitransparent curtains for control of optical radiation hazards

The purposes and functions of semitransparent eye protective curtains are analyzed. Based upon this analysis, functional requirements are developed, and design requirements are specified for optimum curtains to be used with open arc welding and arc cutting processes. Such curtains also protect against other high intensity broad-spectral-band sources such as compact arc lamps. The requirements for filtering our hazardous UV radiation and blue light must be balanced against the need for transparency in the visible spectrum and the need for reduced glare. Infrared attenuation is shown to be of very little importance.