Vision testing for Welders

[Rich2001]

Does any one do or have the rquirement of having an annual vision tests of each welder at your shop? Experiences, ADA implications ...

Vita sine litteris mors est.

 

[Goahead]

You may wish to see requirements in

http://files.aws.org/certification/NDE/acuity_record.pdf

Regards,

http://www.welding-advisers.com/

 

[metengr]

Rich2001:
No, not for ASME Section IX welding. It is not required.

 

[Rich2001]

I know it is not a code requirement except for AWS D17.1.

However, does any ASME or other fabrication shop have an eye sight requirement and if so what are the implications with repsect to the ADA act?


Vita sine litteris mors est.

 

[Rjeffery]

AWS, API etc set forth the minimum standards for a welder qualification program. Your company may or may not require annual vision tests for its welders if it wishes.

The best way to test something is to squeeze it, slowly, until it breaks!

 

[JR97]

Rich2001,

We do both ASME BPV work (Section III & VIII) as well as military work. We require all welders to pass Jaeger-1 near vision test annually. Additionally, any welder involved with Titanium welding must take color deficiency test. We test welders because, for Section VIII work, they perform the acceptance test of fillet size and shape as well as visual inspection for cracks, excessive porosity, etc.

We administer the test internally - the NDE Level III administers it. It has never been an issue. We have the reading card and all welders (as well as other areas) simply read the couple of sentences. It takes about a minute, including the paperwork.

If someone fails the exam, the company provides perscription safety glasses at no charge. ADA act issues have never come up. I don't know that we ever looked into them. As long as it is administered in house, ADA may never come up.

JR97

 

[GRoberts]

As JR97 mentions, MIL-STD-248 requires vision testing as well. Near vision acuity for all welders, and also color blind testing for titanium welders. I don't see how it could be an ADA issue since it is a government requirement. Our government would never put anyone into a catch-22!!