Welding visors and welding shields are used for electric arc welding or electrowinning, oxygen or plasma cutting. Welding visors can be fitted with a single welding filter or with two welding filters, one of which is an observation filter only and the other is a proper darker filter used to observe the welding process.

Visors equipped with automatic welding filters are also in use. These filters automatically darken the field of vision when, for example, an electric or plasma arc is observed, and when the arc disappears (as the weld cools down) they automatically brighten the field of vision. In addition, the visors can be equipped with a ventilation system, supplying air from behind the welder's head, which results in a significant reduction in the amount of inhaled welding fumes (dust and gases) produced during welding, or equipped with holders allowing the installation of filtering equipment with forced air flow.

The welding shield is designed to protect the welder's eyes, entire face and neck. The main limitation of the use of the welding shield is the need to hold it in the hand during welding, which significantly reduces the freedom of movement of the worker, e.g. making it impossible to hold the workpiece to be welded.