Those can’t blind you from a distance though. Not nearly the same risk

They absolutely can. Anyone around them for long enough has dead spots in their eyes.

Not at all the same risk profile. Arc welding is just a really bright UV light, and without appropriate protection, it will cause what is essentially a sunburn on the surface of the eye. It is painful, but it usually heals in a couple of days. It shouldn't significantly damage the retina.

Laser light is different: a laser is effectively a point light source, and it will focus inside the eye to a single point with enough brightness to cause a burn. It can cause a permanent blind spot, and damage may happen faster and be less noticeable at first.

I mean like a bystander walking by a construction site who just happens to catch a bad reflection for a fraction of a second

The headlights of 2024 Ford F150 can blind me from a distance.

yes, but not permanently. You can certainly get dazzled by bright headlights, I can anyway.

but laser light, like staring into the sun, will destroy the delicate structure of your retina, and it doesn't grow back.