 Welding can be dangerous and unhealthy if the proper precautions are not taken . However , using new technology and proper protection greatly reduces risks of injury and death associated with welding . Since many common welding procedures involve an open electric arc or flame , the risk of burns and fire is significant ; this is why it is classified as a hot work process . To prevent injury , welders wear personal protective equipment in the form of heavy leather gloves and protective long @-@ sleeve jackets to avoid exposure to extreme heat and flames . Additionally , the brightness of the weld area leads to a condition called arc eye or flash burns in which ultraviolet light causes inflammation of the cornea and can burn the retinas of the eyes . Goggles and welding helmets with dark UV @-@ filtering face plates are worn to prevent this exposure . Since the 2000s , some helmets have included a face plate which instantly darkens upon exposure to the intense UV light . To protect bystanders , the welding area is often surrounded with translucent welding curtains . These curtains , made of a polyvinyl chloride plastic film , shield people outside the welding area from the UV light of the electric arc , but can not replace the filter glass used in helmets . 
