Eye protection shade rating for oxyacetylene or gasoline fueled cutting operations?

• A. 5.0
• B. 3.0
• C. 2.0
• D. 4.0

Answer: (B)

Choosing eye protection shade for radiant heat from oxyfuel or gasoline cutting is about balancing protection with visibility. The flame and hot metal emit bright light and infrared radiation, but the level of intensity is not as extreme as arc welding. A shade around 3 provides enough filtration to reduce glare and protect against radiant injury while still letting you clearly see the cut line, torch tip, and surrounding hazards. Using a darker shade (like 4 or 5) would make the work area harder to see and slow you down, and a lighter shade (like 2) wouldn’t offer adequate protection from the bright flame and heat. So, a shade of 3 is the appropriate choice for these cutting operations.