During plasma cutting, OSHA recommends a shade of what for arc current less than 300?

• A. 7
• B. 8
• C. 9
• D. 10

Answer: (B)

Protecting your eyes from the intense light, UV, and IR of a plasma arc is essential, and the filter shade you choose must balance protection with enough visibility to see the cut line and edge. For plasma cutting with arc current below 300 amps, the recommended filter shade is eight. This shade level provides enough optical density to reduce the glare and harmful radiation while still letting you clearly see the work and follow your cut line. Using a lighter shade could expose you to more light and radiation, increasing eye strain or injury, while a much darker shade would make it hard to see the material, risking imperfect cuts or hazards. This aligns with OSHA/ANSI guidance to protect eyes without sacrificing visibility at that current range.