The flash from an ARC welder is a real danger.

Between college terms 25 years ago I worked at a low-end fabrication sweatshop where we made portable metal buildings (I think they were going to be schools in the far north).

Everything was bolted together by labours (me and my friends) and then ARC welded by a certified welder. The welders used full facesheilds but us labours were often close to the welding operation and exposed to the ARC flash. Often your eyes would hurt/burn (felt like hot sand in your eyes) after work so we started to wear sunglasses on the job to cut down on the flash. In reality the welding operation needed to be screened from the other unprotected workers but being inexperienced we did not know that.

The worksite had a lot of air quality problems (zinc welding dust, paint fumes and engine exhaust) and defective equipment, working there for a summer made it an easy decision to go back to school in the fall.

Mike