ISO 25980-2023 PDF

Full title and description

Health and safety in welding and allied processes — Transparent welding curtains, strips and screens for arc welding processes (ISO 25980:2023). This international standard specifies safety requirements and performance criteria for transparent welding curtains, strips and screens used to protect people near arc welding operations from hazardous optical radiation and spatter while allowing visual access to the workspace behind the protection.

Abstract

ISO 25980:2023 defines design and performance requirements for transparent welding curtains, strips and screens intended to: reduce harmful UV, blue-light and infrared exposure from arc welding; limit spatter penetration; and reduce discomfort glare while permitting sufficient luminous transmittance to view the welding area. The document clarifies that these products are not a substitute for welding filters for intentional arc viewing and excludes protection against laser radiation.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: May 2023 (Corrected version: August 2023)
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 13.100 (Occupational safety. Industrial hygiene); 25.160.10 (Welding processes)
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2023)
• Number of pages: 15

Scope

The standard applies to transparent welding curtains, strips and screens used in workplaces where arc welding is performed to protect persons who are not involved in the welding task. It covers optical and physical protective performance (including limits on transmitted UV/blue-light and infrared irradiance), recommended installation distance (designed for use at a distance of at least 1 m from the arc), spatter resistance and requirements related to luminous transmittance so that visibility is maintained. ISO 25980:2023 is not intended for protection against laser radiation and does not replace welding filters required for intentional viewing of welding arcs.

Key topics and requirements

• Performance limits for optical radiation transmission (UV, blue light, infrared) and luminous transmittance requirements to balance protection and visibility.
• Spatter resistance and physical durability criteria for curtains, strips and screens.
• Design/installation guidance including minimum recommended distance from welding arc (typically ≥ 1 m) and mounting methods to provide effective shielding.
• Marking, product identification and information to be supplied with the item (intended use, limitations, maintenance/inspection guidance).
• Exclusions and interface with other standards — not a substitute for welding filters; not applicable to laser-radiation hazards.

Typical use and users

Typical users include occupational health & safety managers, welding shop supervisors, facilities engineers, PPE and welding curtain manufacturers, workplace safety auditors, and standards purchasers in industry sectors that perform arc welding (manufacturing, shipbuilding, construction, repair shops and training facilities). The standard guides product specification, procurement, installation and routine inspection decisions.

Related standards

Relevant documents referenced or commonly used alongside ISO 25980:2023 include ISO 16321 series (eye and face protection for welding — welding filters and related guidance), ISO 19818-1 (protection against laser radiation — where applicable), and the previous edition ISO 25980:2014 (withdrawn and superseded by the 2023 edition). National adoptions (EN, DIN, BS, etc.) exist that incorporate ISO 25980:2023 as a regional standard.

Keywords

welding curtain, transparent screens, welding strips, arc welding protection, optical radiation, UV protection, blue light, infrared irradiance, spatter resistance, occupational safety, welding PPE

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 25980:2023 is an international standard specifying safety and performance requirements for transparent welding curtains, strips and screens used to protect people near arc welding operations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers optical transmission limits (UV, blue-light and infrared), luminous transmittance requirements, spatter resistance, basic installation guidance (intended for use at about 1 m or more from the arc), marking and information to be supplied with the product, and exclusions (it does not replace welding filters or apply to laser radiation).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Employers, safety officers, procurement and maintenance teams in welding environments, manufacturers of welding curtains/screens, and conformity assessors use this standard to specify, procure and verify appropriate transparent welding protection.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — ISO 25980:2023 (Edition 2) was published in May 2023 with a corrected version in August 2023 and supersedes ISO 25980:2014.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It sits within the ISO/TC 44 (welding and allied processes) work and is used alongside related standards such as the ISO 16321 series for welding filters and other eye/face protection standards; national/adopted regional versions (EN, DIN, BS, etc.) may exist.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Welding curtain, transparent screen, arc welding, optical radiation, spatter protection, luminous transmittance, occupational safety, welding PPE.