CIOP-PIB Articles

Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 records

Angular dependence of reflected laser radiation intensity during handheld laser welding of structural steel and aluminum alloys
(Lublin University of Technology, 2026-03-01) Stanisz, Dawid; Parzych, Sławomir; Hebda, Marek; Cichowlas, Małgorzata; Szkudlarek, Joanna; Okrasa, Małgorzata; Prax Weld Sp. z o.o., Nowy Sącz, Poland; Faculty of Materials Engineering and Physics, Cracow University of Technology; Central Institute for Labour Protection – Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Łódź, Poland
The growing use of handheld Class 4 laser welding systems raises concerns about operator exposure to reflected and scattered radiation. The purpose of this study is to provide an assessment of the angular distribution and intensity of reflected laser radiation generated during manual welding of structural steel and aluminum alloy in butt and fillet joint configurations. It provides the first angle-resolved and height-resolved experimental characterization of reflected radiation in handheld welding, integrating material reflectivity, joint geometry, and observer position – parameters rarely examined together. Radiation intensity was measured at multiple angles, distances, and heights – including helmet-visor level – under controlled laboratory conditions, using identical welding parameters for both materials. Aluminum, with near-infrared reflectance of ≈75–78% compared with ≈14% for steel, produced broader and more persistent reflection fields. For butt joints, mean maximum intensities were comparable (≈1912 ru for steel and ≈2049 ru for aluminum), but probe orientation and joint type strongly modulated exposure: lateral probe positions yielded ≈2.2-fold higher peak intensities than the forward direction for aluminum and more than fourfold higher for steel, while fillet joints increased the mean maximum intensity for steel by ≈109% relative to butt joints (3997 vs 1912 ru). The most hazardous conditions occurred within 10–15 cm of the weld and at probe angles between 30° and 70°, where both materials generated peak intensities above 1.5×10⁴ ru, including at eye level (156 cm), highlighting a substantial risk of ocular overexposure during handheld laser welding. Helmet-level measurements confirmed attenuation of direct radiation. These findings show that effective protection requires PPE with high-optical-density filters, lateral shielding, and an optimized workstation layout, especially when welding reflective materials or working with fillet geometries. Material reflectivity and joint type strongly influence hazard-zone formation, with aluminum and fillet joints presenting the highest risks. Task-specific protective strategies are therefore essential to ensure compliance with exposure limits and maintain operator safety.
Assessment of Kernmantle Ropes in terms of Sheath Slippage: Method and Results
(Sciendo, 2022-12-30) Baszczyński, Krzysztof; Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Łódź, Poland
Worksites at height require the protection of workers during both movement and task performance. The rope access technique involves the simultaneous use of working and backup textile rope systems. Currently, kernmantle ropes are most often used in conjunction with mechanisms that move along them and lock at the right moment. However, this mode of operation has a destructive effect on the rope. Ropes must therefore meet a number of specific requirements, one of the most important of which is sheath slippage. The paper presents a method for testing this parameter based on the requirements of EN standards, including the design and implementation of a test stand and a method for the verification of its operation. Test results for 11 types of ropes are presented and discussed. The paper also provides some guidelines for conducting tests.
Coefficients for Assessing the Visibility of Materials Used in Anti-Smog Face Masks
(Sciendo, 2022-10-12) Brochocka, Agnieszka; Owczarek, Grzegorz; Szkudlarek, Joanna; Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, Department of Personal Protective Equipment, Warsaw, Poland
The application of phosphorescence for the modification of face mask materials is motivated by the need to appreciably increase their visibility while using graphical elements with a relatively small area. Phosphorescent dyes absorb part of the visible spectrum while emitting radiation at wavelengths that are longer than the absorbed ones. Thus, a phosphorescent substance can emit light even if it is not being illuminated at a given time (but was before). This paper describes studies of the optical properties based on parameters such as the reflectance coefficient, chromaticity coordinates, as well as luminance measured from digital images for two models of smog-protective face half-masks differing in terms of their inner layer with filtration properties and outer printed layer. The external surface of one mask type is printed with a phosphorescent solid star pattern, while the other with a phosphorescent open star pattern. The influence of the inner filter layer was assessed in correlation with the colour of the outer layer and the type of printing. Moreover, the phenomenon of phosphorescence was identified. The study resulted in developing a material with properties providing better visibility under defined use conditions.

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