JoJob,
I have worked around the screens that you talking about for many years. I am not positive what OSHA requirements are for the blinds but I have used the yellow and red. The red does seem to not let as much light pass through but I think you are dealing with a case of the employees just wanting something to fuss about. I suggest that you check to find out if the blinds meet OSHA requirements. If they do then tell anyone fussing about the arc to look the other way. If this is not a solution then you will have to double up on the blinds or change to a non-translucent blind.
Having worked with and around welding for over 20 years now, I guess I've become "desensitized" to complaints about bright lights from welding (Of course it's bright! Don't stare at it!). It's like driving with the sun low in the sky to me. But these days we do need to be mindful of other peoples discomforts.
Hopefully everyone anywhere near the welding is required to wear safety glasses, those alone greatly reduce the harmful effects of arc rays.
Some things you could do would to be use 2 screens together. Or you can try different combinations of colors to see what works best (we use mostly a single layer of dark gray). Or you could add a 3' wide strip from the top of your existing screens. That will reduce glare at eye level but still allow you to monitor activity. Maybe you can have some small, dark screens on hand to drag in place when welding must be done in a low position.
Hope all works out well for you,
CHGuilford
CH,
That desensitization is called opacity, somewhat different from the cataracts also caused by exposure to arc radiation... It hasnt caused me any problems either... (sorry, my flu meds warped my sense of humor... where'd I put that white cane?)
What do you think about blue filtering out red spectrum (and passing blue) and red filtering out blue spectrum (and passing red)? Made sense to me, so I use grey myself, which supposedly does it all with mediocrity. I think it also has something to do with a red beam from a ruby laser's inability to break a red baloon, if that story is true. It was supposedly demonstrated in my physics class, but my independent research on radiation had me taking measurements on the beach on that warm summer day and I never actually witnessed it.
On a totally serious note you describe a trait common in human behavior- looking at what we ought not. I believe the more complete solution also includes a practical application of psychology addressing this and other foibles common to human nature in the workplace, as well as your good advice on safety and protective equipment.
Regards,
D
As you may have learned the hard way, not all vinyl is equal when it comes to filtering UV and blue light. Also, remember that curtains are intended to protect the people passing by the welding station and were never intended to replace good eye protection. Suggest you check on the subject "weld curtains" from some various manufacturers on the net. Good safety-vue weld curtains are not cheap. Some places you might check are:
wilsonindustries.com
revcoindustries.com
frommeltsafetyproducts.com
Don Underwood
The issue your help is raising may stem from valid concern for their safety and their ability to literally see into their retirement. Workers talk among themselves... I may be reading more into this than I should, or you may not be reading in enough. Most of us here see the issue as one more of comfort than safety, presuming your screens meet any kind of industry standard and that your shop safety program requires wearing sefety glasses at all times on the floor... you know it, I know it, but do they know it?
A real solution may be to educate the help. If they had confidence in the safety of your curtains fears may be alleviated and the problem might go away. How much radiation does a typical arc create? How much protection are they supposed to be wearing at all times? How much additional protection does the curtain provide? If you dont know how much, you have plenty of company, but I am not surprised your help is worried, because I would probably be...
Then again, the arc may actually hurt their eyes- does it hurt yours enough to be an issue? Does a make-shift temporary opaque shield of plywood solve it- if so you can ignore most of this post and look for a darker curtain, but it might not help.
Got any related technical and safety data to copy and leave in your break area? You might go as far as to require they study up on the problem and submit recommendations toward a solution themselves, based on material you provide.
In any event, understanding a hazard is the first step towards safety, and safety training is a good policy. It demonstrates your concern and responsibility... who knows, the sensitive guy complaining may wind up satisfied with a clip-on flip-up sunglass lense over his safetys.
Perhaps a brighter light surrounding the entire weld area itself would be the appropriate investment; perhaps the shop is dark enough that a weld arc does hurt an eye with a dilated pupil... causing it to constrict a bit ahead of time may help... it's a cones-and-rods thing (does the same welding arrangement cause a problem outside in full sun?) ...is there enough light to see easily with dark sunglasses (something around perhaps shade 3 or 4) this may contribute to the problem if the floor is "dark"- a relative term we each may interpret differently. I dont have data handy on light levels, but we forget they do matter, and this might be a symptom.
At some point employees can go beyond responsible concern for their health and welfare and become merely disruptive for the sake of disruption. Unfortunately some individual human beings are simply disposed to be that way, and an unfortunate reality is the shop would probably do better without them. That's the point at which you tell them to work across the street... when they say they didnt know you had a shop over there, say that you dont, and hope they take the hint... or worse, be direct.
Of course responsibility and safety are of prime concern and have to be assured at all times. We are dealing with safety- life, and limb... apply the context accordingly.
While this different spin on solving the problem may not be appropriate in your case, there certainly is validity to this psychology relating to leadership.
Reassuring the help that no dangerous exposure ever occured can only be helpfull in the long run; I doubt it ever did. The most dangerous of this light apparently has difficulty even passing through window glass, and does not tend to cause an immediate discomfort upon exposure... even air itself- distance- is an effective filter. You'll probably find most of the trouble is from the intensity of visible light in the immediate area.
Good luck with it.
Regards,
d
Most likely the screens you have meet OSHA requirments and will not burn your eyes but can be a distraction. 
We were challenged by the OSHA lady on one of her visits to our production area about this very thing(welding flash). Her solution was to put the screens up, just like it sounds you have done. You know, just in case someone should wander in off the street and watch the arc. Any way to totally protect everyone that could possibly enter from all directions, she agreed, would be next to impossible given the layout of our shop. 
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