I did not say it was impossible, only tough. If a welder that has only one eye can pass the applicable tests then you have a GOOD welder. Maybe even better than a welder with both eyes functional. Ask the one eyed welder that you worked with if it was easy. I would guess that unless this person has dealt with the loss of an eye from a very early age, you will be told that it is not as easy as it would be with both eyes.
In short, it may be tough to hold your own with one eye as a welder, it can be done, but it is all up to the individual with one eye to make it happen. It will not be as easy as it would be for someone lucky enough to still have both eyes in good condition.
jrw159
No, I'm not kidding. I have actually had three welding students in two different community colleges over the last thirty years who have each lost an eye.These students gave it an excellent try. I gave them equal, actually more, attention than the other full sighted students. I believe that students should get their money's worth especially when the state is using my tax money to help train them.
No, I'm not intentionally being cruel. Having given more than my best to educate these young people, they still had a very hard time of it. Examples, not each and every numbered reason, of why they were having a tuff time: two could not see the joint to be welded even after several dark shade lens changes to lighter and/or darker, guiding their hands, working with them before, during and after class, etc. One student found that his good eye was trying to focus, but couldn't at certain distances. I don't try to run people out of my classes when the people are my job.
The reason for the question is a legality. Our school had a gentleman threaten law suite because he enrolled in an autobody class where welding machines are used to repair metals. His doctor explained that he thought the machines created electromagnetism and since the student had a pacemaker he should drop the class. His threat, there were no signs (there were) stating that pacemakers weren't allowed in the shop. He didn't sue, but it has made the administration very aware of pre-existing handicaps, oops, impairments. Now each program is required to make a statement in writing telling what students will come up against in the programs and on the job. The state already requires and makes available some statements which must be available to the public through every state funded school. My present supervisor, remembering that he had met one of the seeing impaired students asked about having a special statement for this. The reason for his question is to have it available to the public that welding is a very visual craft. That conversation led to me asking the question here on this forum. According to those whose posts make me believe they are offended, which were most of you, I apologize for being politically incorrect in my presentation of this question.
As I mentioned in the first post the AWS requires that welding inspectors have an eye exam. This leads me to believe that being able to see, I now hesitate to say *with both eyes*, is a prerequisite to getting a CWI. That suggest that welders don't need two eyes and CWI's do need a pair. On this ground I am asking if there is anything known, such as the CWI eye exam, that is documented about welders needing corrective lens to have 20/20 vision or anything similar. No, this is not what I wrote word for word in the first post. I modified it in an attempt not to offend.
By the answers that I did get concerning known documents I will say that there are none.
I came across this item on the AWS website (CWI certification section) a couple of days ago, while downloading exam forms.
Interpretation of Subclause 8.1 of AWS QC1:2007 Approved January 17, 2008 by the AWS Certification Committee Text of 8.1 of AWS QC1:2007:
"8.1 Applicants for certification as SCWI, CWI, or CAWI shall satisfy the visual acuity requirements of 6.1 of AWS B5.1, Specification for the Qualification of Welding Inspectors."
Interpretation:
These visual acuity requirements may be satisfied with the use of only one eye.
Your very right on asking and research, it is as I thought an "impairment" issue and you would need to tred lightly in this sue happy times. No you will not find much on the issue, but I would do as your thinking and present a statement but have the lawyers and management approve the final wording, because a simple statement can throw you into the courts also.
stever,
Rest assured that you have not offended me. I can not speak for others. I will however say, it seemed pretty apparent, at least to me, what direction you were coming from and where you were going with it. I was slightly off, but still in the ball park of your reasoning.
This is a touchy subject though, so as advised, be very careful in how it is presented. (I think you know this though)
Best of luck,
jrw159
jwr159,
Any statement written for the public is scrutinized before release by the school board which has a mandatory minimum of two lawyers as members. The reason for any public posting is to inform before decisions are made. The public makes their own choices even though I have my own personal opinion. We still have to inform them.
CSDenney,
"Interpretation:
These visual acuity requirements may be satisfied with the use of only one eye."
Is that the interpretation of 6.1 of AWS B5.1?
Yes, I cut and pasted exactly what was on the AWS website.
stever,
That is the way I interpret it. But the key word is "may" and while I am not an eye doctor, based on the vision tests I have taken, I would think it "may" be difficult to pass with only one eye. But since I have never taken the test with one eye, it "may" not be as hard as I think.
BTW ANSI/WS QC1-96 words it the same way.
jrw159
speaking of one eyes, here's a good one!
Thats great stuff!! I love the Bob and Tom show.
jrw159
One eye?
I have been CWI for 20+ years.
When I was 6 years old, I was hit in the eye with an arrow.
I have been legaly blind in one eye most of my life.
On the plus side it kept me out of 'Nam- I was listed 1-H on the draft. Even when I tried to join, they said "No Way".
I never considered myself as "handicapped"-- visually impaired, yes.
A few years ago I went through several surgeries, and with the technology available today, I can now read better with my "bad" eye than I can with the "good" eye.
Depth perception?--- never was good at shooting baskets or hitting baseballs, and my lady tells me I follow too close when I drive-- but I am a good shot with the rifle-- love to hunt!
Roger
I'm not offended, I was just interested in why this might have come up that's all. Keep on, keepin on!!!