Should you look at someone while welding?

When welding, it is essential to prioritize eye safety, not just for the welder but also for those nearby. The process of welding generates intense light and harmful radiation, which can cause serious eye damage, such as "welder's flash" or permanent vision impairment, even when just looking in the general direction of the arc.

The risk of exposure to bright light and other debris necessitates that all bystanders, and even the welder, avoid direct eye contact with the arc. As a general practice, those watching should take precautions and wear appropriate eye protection, such as welding goggles or shields, to safeguard against this exposure.

In essence, avoiding looking directly at someone while they are welding is vital for maintaining safety standards. This is why the recommendation is to not look at someone while they are engaged in welding activities.