ChrisBoom
Member
Registered: 6th Dec 06
Location: Highland
User status: Offline
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Started a new job today as an apprentice welder.
My new boss today told me and another guy who started today, that if he knew we wore contact lenses, then the likelihood of us being employed we slim. We were also told that we would be under carefull watch for the next three months (Probabationary period), as he doesnt belive we can see 
He cant grasp how contacts work, and he doesnt understand short and long sighted, as much as we tried to explain to him that when they are worn that we can see perfectly 
Anyway, he came out with the old line of "They will stick to your eyeballs and blind you" line, but I checked it out before I applied and found this:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/fod/oc/600-699/668_21.pdf
Now to me thats proof enough that they arnt going to weld onto my eye 
Thing is, hes an old guy who is stuck in his ways, and I dont want to go pissing him off on my first few days, as he seems the sort that would take offence to being told hes wrong
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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id mail him a copy tbh
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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he's an idiot.
i had mine in yesterday when my dad was grinding my exhaust off.
i was looking away yet a spark still went onto my eyeball. stung like fuck and made part of my eye go red, but i'm sure if i didn't have contacts in it could've blinded me.
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ChrisBoom
Member
Registered: 6th Dec 06
Location: Highland
User status: Offline
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The guy is something of a legend in the company, trained 100's of people, some of them are company directors now , so he knows his stuff about welding etc, just cant grasp corrected vision
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richc
Member
Registered: 24th Mar 07
Location: Ilkeston
User status: Offline
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Well wear glasses? Our top welder wears glasses, has done all his life. Hes work all over the world on rigs, power stations, all sorts. He has never had a problem! Non of them wear contacts though but i will ask tomorrow. Im sure its complete bullshit!
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cunningham
Member
Registered: 25th May 05
Location: Lochore, Fife
User status: Offline
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Surely if your welding you should be wearing eye protection anyways so whats the issue?
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Marc
Member
Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: York
User status: Offline
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I remember this when I was a welder.
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gazza808
Member
Registered: 30th Jun 08
Location: Peterborough
User status: Offline
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worst bit is grinding dust on the back of the eyeball 
never heard the contact lense thing before lol! sounds like aload of bollox, sure he's not just having you on?
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ed
Member
Registered: 10th Sep 03
User status: Offline
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I've done plenty of welding in my contacts. They never stick to my eyes, the only time that happens is when I get pissed and go to sleep in them.
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Marc
Member
Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: York
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by gazza808
worst bit is grinding dust on the back of the eyeball
I worked with someone who was gas cutting without face protection. Molten metal dropped in to his eye and burnt the sclera (white part) away. I am not joking, it grew back
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ChrisBoom
Member
Registered: 6th Dec 06
Location: Highland
User status: Offline
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I havent worn glasses in 5 years+, I dont even have a pair anymore 
Ill tell him I found a HSE document saying it was fine, if he asks again ill print it out and show him.
Enjoyed my first day, found out the guys that are time served are on £26 an hour, that il do me
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Gary
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: West Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by ed
I've done plenty of welding in my contacts. They never stick to my eyes, the only time that happens is when I get pissed and go to sleep in them.
They will if you flash yourself
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Gary
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: West Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by ChrisBoom
I havent worn glasses in 5 years+, I dont even have a pair anymore 
Ill tell him I found a HSE document saying it was fine, if he asks again ill print it out and show him.
Enjoyed my first day, found out the guys that are time served are on £26 an hour, that il do me
You wont get passes your probation if you start playing those tricks. Gaffers dont like clever cunts.
Reason he wont like you in contacts is you can get them stuck if you flash yourself. Which you will.
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gazza808
Member
Registered: 30th Jun 08
Location: Peterborough
User status: Offline
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How will it get them stuck?
I don't understand it,
If it's hot enough to melt them, surely it'll melt my eye lids when I do my 150+ tacks most days just closing my eyes.
Also another guy here does wear contacts no hassle.
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cunningham
Member
Registered: 25th May 05
Location: Lochore, Fife
User status: Offline
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Do they not wear a welders mask
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Gary
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: West Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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Its not when you tack with your eyes closed.
They stick for the same reason you feel like you have sand in your eyes after a bad flash
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Gary
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: West Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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Thats just what ive been told by a welder btw.
GAzza, 150 tacks a day with no mask. Bet youve got a right welders tan!
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gazza808
Member
Registered: 30th Jun 08
Location: Peterborough
User status: Offline
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Yes yes, some days it's abit sore if I forget my sun block, lol,
Your talking about arc eye,
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Gary
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: West Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by gazza808
Yes yes, some days it's abit sore if I forget my sun block, lol,
Your talking about arc eye,
Yeah i know what arc eye is. But a mate of mine wears of contacts and was banging on about them sticking etc.
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ChrisBoom
Member
Registered: 6th Dec 06
Location: Highland
User status: Offline
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Aye, the hse document states that arc eye affects everyone, and that the contact lens will not weld itself to my eyeball. Not trying to be a clever bugger with him, he just doesn't know the details about it.
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ChrisBoom
Member
Registered: 6th Dec 06
Location: Highland
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by cunningham
Do they not wear a welders mask
Got one of those air fed bad boys, £600 worth apparently!
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Gary
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: West Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by ChrisBoom
Aye, the hse document states that arc eye affects everyone, and that the contact lens will not weld itself to my eyeball. Not trying to be a clever bugger with him, he just doesn't know the details about it.
My advice is wear glasses, even if you need to buy a cheap pair, untill your trial period is up. Once your in contract then bring up the contacts issue.
If you spout off some HSE stuff at your gaffer i guarentee he wont be your no1 fan!
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mattk
Member
Registered: 27th Feb 06
Location: St. Helens
User status: Offline
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contact lenses are made of water, they will not melt to anything
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Gary
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: West Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by mattk
contact lenses are made of water, they will not melt to anything
They are made from Silicone
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ChrisBoom
Member
Registered: 6th Dec 06
Location: Highland
User status: Offline
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Well I went in today and he had found that HSE document himself.
Said although it says it cant happen, he still thinks its too much of a risk.
Ah well, back to glasses for me
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