Red Seal Metal Fabricator (Fitter) Practice Exam

What is the main function of a welding helmet?

1. To keep the welder’s head cool

2. To reduce glare and protect the eyes from UV radiation

3. To improve visibility of the weld

4. To prevent fumes from entering

The correct answer is: To reduce glare and protect the eyes from UV radiation

The main function of a welding helmet is to reduce glare and protect the eyes from UV radiation. When welding, the intense light produced by the arc can emit harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause serious eye injury, commonly known as "welder's flash" or "arc eye." The lens of the welding helmet is specifically designed to filter out these harmful rays while allowing the welder to see the workspace adequately. This protective feature is crucial to ensure the safety of the welder’s eyes during the various welding processes. Welding helmets also have tinted lenses that help to reduce the brightness of the welding arc, which further aids in visual comfort and enhances the ability to see the weld pool clearly, but their primary role lies in eye protection from both UV radiation and intense visible light.