1910.133(a)(5): Correct Shade for Welding Filter Lenses
Employers must make sure workers exposed to harmful light use filter lenses with a shade number suited to the work. The rule lists minimum shades by operation, such as shade 7 to 11 for shielded metal arc welding depending on electrode size and current, shade 3 for torch brazing, and shade 14 for carbon arc welding.
Key takeaways
- 1910.133(a)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $36,136 in current penalties.
- Most citations: OH (2), PA (2), TN (1).
- Related part: 1910.133(a) General requirements (1,359 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.133(a)(5) is one requirement inside 1910.133 Eye and face protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(5) The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses equipment with filter lenses that have a shade number appropriate for the work being performed for protection from injurious light radiation. The following is a listing of appropriate shade numbers for various operations. 12 citations
| Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Operations | Electrode Size 1⁄32 in. | Arc Current | Minimum* Protective Shade |
| Shielded metal arc welding | Less than 3 | Less than 60 | 7 |
| 3-5 | 60-160 | 8 | |
| 5-8 | 160-250 | 10 | |
| More than 8 | 250-550 | 11 | |
| Gas metal arc welding and flux cored arc welding | less than 60 | 7 | |
| 60-160 | 10 | ||
| 160-250 | 10 | ||
| 250-500 | 10 | ||
| Gas Tungsten arc welding | less than 50 | 8 | |
| 50-150 | 8 | ||
| 150-500 | 10 | ||
| Air carbon | (Light) | less than 500 | 10 |
| Arc cutting | (Heavy) | 500-1000 | 11 |
| Plasma arc welding | less than 20 | 6 | |
| 20-100 | 8 | ||
| 100-400 | 10 | ||
| 400-800 | 11 | ||
| Plasma arc cutting | (light)** | less than 300 | 8 |
| (medium)** | 300-400 | 9 | |
| (heavy)** | 400-800 | 10 | |
| Torch brazing | 3 | ||
| Torch soldering | 2 | ||
| Carbon arc welding | 14 | ||
| Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Operations | Plate thickness—inches | Plate thickness—mm | Minimum* Protective Shade |
| Gas Welding: | |||
| Light | Under 1/8 | Under 3.2 | 4 |
| Medium | 1/8 to 1/2 | 3.2 to 12.7 | 5 |
| Heavy | Over 1/2 | Over 12.7 | 6 |
| Oxygen cutting: | |||
| Light | Under 1 | Under 25 | 3 |
| Medium | 1 to 6 | 25 to 150 | 4 |
| Heavy | Over 6 | Over 150 | 5 |
| * As a rule of thumb, start with a shade that is too dark to see the weld zone. Then go to a lighter shade which gives sufficient view of the weld zone without going below the minimum. In oxyfuel gas welding or cutting where the torch produces a high yellow light, it is desirable to use a filter lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in the visible light of the (spectrum) operation. | |||
| ** These values apply where the actual arc is clearly seen. Experience has shown that lighter filters may be used when the arc is hidden by the workpiece. | |||
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.133.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: OH (2), PA (2), TN (1), MI (1), CO (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| VIRGINIA TRANSFORMER CORP | ROANOKE, VA | $7,221 |
| CHAMPION CARRIER CORPORATION | HERMITAGE, PA | $6,000 |
| 67478 - OLYMPIC STEEL INC | MOUNT STERLING, KY | $5,600 |
| SA RECYCLING LLC | DAVIE, FL | $4,341 |
| CF&I STEEL, L.P. | PUEBLO, CO | $4,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.133(a)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.133(a)(5).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.133(a) General requirements 1,359 citations
- 1910.133(a)(1) 1,242 citations
- 1910.133(a)(3) 77 citations
- 1910.133(a)(2) 25 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Who chooses the right filter shade?
The employer must ensure each affected employee uses lenses with an appropriate shade number.
What shade is listed for carbon arc welding?
Shade 14.
How do you pick a shade within the table?
Start with a shade too dark to see the weld zone, then go lighter until you see enough without going below the minimum.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.133 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.