Eye Protection

Goals:          This session teaches employees to:

    Understand which hazards require eye protection
    Know how to select, use, and maintain eye protection correctly.

Applicable Regulations:  29 CFR 1910.132-133

    Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Protects You from Workplace Hazards

OSHA requires employers to identify when workers need PPE as protection and:

    Select PPE that will protect employees from identified hazards
    Train employees to know when and how to select, use, and care for the PPE

    Eyes Need Protection from a Variety of Workplace Hazards

They include:

    Flying objects such as wood, metal, plastic, stone fragments, and sparks
    Splashes from chemicals, including acids and corrosives, and molten metal
    Swinging objects like ropes and chains
    Electrical arcs and sparks
    Dust, fumes, mists, gases, and vapors
    Radiant energy from welding, cutting, and ultraviolet or infrared light

    Choose Eyewear That Protects Against the Greatest Possible Hazard Level
    Flying fragments, objects, chips, or particles: Safety spectacles with side protection or goggles with side protection.

-  OSHA requires side protection against flying objects.

    Chemical splashes: Safety goggles.
    Dust, fumes, mists, gases, and vapors: Tight-fitting chemical goggles (vents at top are off set) or face shields over industrial safety glasses.
    Hot sparks or splashes: Goggles or spectacles with side protection.
    Radiant energy: Welding goggles with special lenses to filter out the harmful light or radiation.
    Any very serious eye hazard: Face shield over safety spectacles or goggles.
    Electrical exposure: Don’t wear metal eyewear, which could conduct electricity.
    Bloodborne hazards: As required by particular hazard.

    Protective Eyewear Should Fit Well
    Spectacles should fit like other glasses.
    Goggles should fit with the bridge on your nose, and the center of the lens in front of your eyes.

-  Adjust straps and place them low on the back of the head for a good fit.

    Combine Protection With Prescription
    If you wear prescription eyewear and need eye protection, you must use either:
    Protective eyewear that has the prescription
    Safety goggles over prescription glasses
    You should not wear contact lenses in areas with dust and/or chemicals.

    Inspect Eye Protection Daily to Assure It’s in Good Condition
    Replace knotted, twisted, worn, or stretched out goggle straps.
    Replace eyewear that has lenses too pitted, scratched, etc. to see through.
    If lenses fog up, use lens defogging solution

    Give Eye Protection Equipment Good Care
    Clean lenses after every use with soap or mild detergent and water or special solution designed for that purpose.
    Disinfect eyewear if a hazardous chemical contaminates it, or if another person may wear it.
    Store clean eyewear in a closed container protected from dust, moisture, or damage.

    Act Quickly If Your Eye Is Splashed or Injured
    Chemical splash: Flush with water for at least 15 minutes; then see a doctor.  (Note: In some cases an emergency eye fountain is required.)
    Particle in the eye: Blink to try to get it out.  If you can’t, close and cover the eye and see a doctor.
    Object hitting the eye: See a doctor immediately.

Discussion Points:

    Have an assortment of protective eyewear used in your facility available.  Ask participants to name those hazards they face that require eye protection and to choose the best protection from the available selection.

Conclusion: Always Give Eyes the Highest Possible Level of Protection

The right PPE will give your eyes the greatest protection against all possible hazards.  Inspect and maintain this PPE to prevent damage to your eyes.