It's no secret, when an arc flash occurs, there is significant light hazard. The IEEE/NFPA Arc Flash Collaborative Research Project has studied this issue. The light hazard can cause temporary or permanent eye injury including cornea and retina damage as well as temporary or permanent blindness.

This week’s question is about the light hazard.

Have you/colleagues/clients ever been affected by the light hazard from an arc flash?

Temporary blindness
Permanent blindness
Cornea / retina damage
None / UV face shield used
No arc flash incidents

Select up to 2 answers (and as usual, stories are always good)

Not really an arc flash event, but a co-worker was disabled for a day or two by an arc from a welder. He thought it was safe to look at peripherally without protection, and was mistaken. I'm told it feels like gravel in the eyes. I continue to be surprised when I see welding performed in public areas with no shielding from curious eyes.

Yes, in a test cell a colleague and myself caused an arc flash. It was after hours of testing to determine why something was failing then, mentally exhausted, we did a stupid thing. We were not exposed to the electrical hazard but we were to the exposure of light - intensity and most likely UVA/UVB.
We were temporarily blinded and it felt like sand had been thrown in our eyes. We were lucky to have been behind a cage because in a substation it would have been very hazardous to move.
This is why for some 25 years I have been requesting the industry to look at incorporating auto darkening lenses in face-shields; similar to welding helmets. I understand that they are now looking at it in IEC 62819 although the original suggestion was not well received!