Welding Goggles

Welding Goggles for Australian Gas Welding, Brazing and Cutting

Welding goggles protect the eyes from the bright light, infrared, and ultraviolet radiation produced by gas welding, brazing, and oxy-fuel cutting work. Different from welding helmets (which provide full face protection for arc welding), welding goggles cover only the eyes — making them lighter, simpler, and adequate for gas-process welding where arc-flash protection isn't required. For Australian gas welders, brazing operators, and oxy-cutting work, the right welding goggles matched to the lens shade and frame style are essential. AIMS Industrial supplies welding goggles compliant with AS/NZS 1338.

The welding goggle types we stock

• Fixed-shade welding goggles — single shade lens for specific welding processes; simple and economical
• Flip-up welding goggles — dark welding lens flips up to reveal clear lens for setup and inspection
• Cover-spec goggles (over-glasses) — fit over prescription glasses for users requiring vision correction
• Anti-fog welding goggles — fog-resistant coating for sustained work
• Indirect-vent welding goggles — allow ventilation without exposing the eyes to direct sparks

Lens shade selection — match to welding process

Welding goggle lens shades are specified by AS/NZS 1338. Common shade selections:

• Shade 3 — light gas brazing and soldering
• Shade 4 — gas brazing of moderate intensity
• Shade 5 — gas brazing and welding (light to moderate)
• Shade 6 — oxy-fuel cutting (light to moderate plate)
• Shade 7 — gas welding (medium plate)
• Shade 8 — gas welding and cutting (heavy plate)

For arc welding (MIG, TIG, stick), shades 10-13+ are required — these are typically achieved with welding helmets rather than goggles. Don't use welding goggles for arc welding without confirming the shade meets the arc welding process requirements.

Where welding goggles earn their place

• Gas welding (oxy-acetylene, oxy-LPG) — the primary application for welding goggles
• Brazing — light to moderate brazing with gas torches
• Oxy-fuel cutting — gas cutting where eye protection from cutting flame is required
• Furnace observation — looking into hot furnaces and processes for monitoring
• Glass blowing and similar — heat radiation protection in non-welding hot processes

Compliance — AS/NZS 1338

Australian welding eye protection is governed by AS/NZS 1338 (Filters for eye protectors) and AS/NZS 1337 (Personal eye protection). Welding goggles must be marked with the standard reference and the shade rating; these markings are visible on the goggles themselves. For workplace safety compliance, only goggles meeting AS/NZS 1338 should be used in welding operations; non-compliant goggles can fail to provide adequate UV/IR protection.

Frame and lens construction

• Soft frame goggles — flexible frames that conform to the face for comfortable sustained use
• Rigid frame goggles — stiffer frames for harder use environments
• Replaceable lens systems — frame accepts replacement lenses for different shade requirements
• Sealed (gas-tight) goggles — for environments with airborne contamination

Welding goggles versus welding helmets

• Welding goggles — eye protection only; for gas processes (brazing, cutting, gas welding); cooler and lighter
• Welding helmets — full face and eye protection; required for arc welding (MIG, TIG, stick); see our welding helmet range

Match the eye protection to the welding process — gas processes use goggles; arc processes require helmets.

Brands stocked at AIMS

Welding goggles are stocked from quality safety equipment manufacturers compliant with AS/NZS 1338. For specific brand requirements, contact our team for current options.

Care and replacement

Welding goggle lenses scratch and degrade with use. Replace when:

• Lenses are scratched enough to obscure vision
• The shade material has degraded (UV exposure can reduce shade effectiveness over years)
• The frame is damaged or no longer seals against the face

Companion ranges at AIMS

Welding goggles sit alongside our broader welding PPE range — see welding helmet accessories, safety glasses, welding jackets, and respiratory protection for the related products.

Need help speccing welding goggles for specific gas processes or brazing work? contact our team — we'll match by process type, shade rating, and frame style.