Departments are responsible for buying required personal protective equipment for employees as it relates to eye and face protection. Departments should consider purchasing prescription safety glasses, see OSHA’s Eye and Face Protection website, Employees are responsible for the costs of eye examinations.

Chemical and Biological Dust or mist Splashes of liquids Extreme Heat and Cold Flying Objects Impact or Explosion Radiation

General Requirements

Employees must use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards. Eye and face PPE must be marked to identify the manufacturer and the ANSI Z87 standard marking on the frame. Eye and face protection must meet ANSI Z87.1- “American National Standard Practice of Occupational and Education Eye and Face Protection”. Safety eyewear can be worn over prescription lenses and should not disturb the proper position of other safety apparel. Safety eyewear can be purchased that incorporates prescription vision correction in the design. ( [email protected] ) OSHA provides reference guidance in OSHA’s Eye and Face Protection eTool

Types of Eye and Face Protection Safety Glasses

Standard safety glasses are designed to protect against light to moderate impact and flying particles and are constructed of metal or plastic with impact-resistant glass or plastic lenses. Safety glasses must have shatter-proof lenses, impact resistant frames and provide side protection. Detachable side protectors (e.g. clip-on or slide-on shields) are acceptable if they meet the ANSI requirements. Metal frame safety glasses shall not be used when performing electrical work The employee is responsible to obtain any prescription for corrective lenses.

Limitations:

Standard safety glasses are not impervious to all impacts. They can also be dislodged easier than other eye protection. Safety glasses do not prevent liquids from entering into the eyes from a splash to the face. Safety glasses do not protect against vapors or airborne particulates. Prescription Safety Glasses guidance and ordering information,

Safety Goggles

Safety goggles are tight-fitting eye protection that completely cover the eyes, eye sockets and the facial area around the eyes and provide protection from impact, dust, mists, and splashes. Safety goggles can be worn over prescription lenses. Safety goggles are available with perforated, port-vented, or non-vented frames.Safety goggles should be worn when working with liquids that may splash or if vapor or airborne particulate protection is required.

Limitations:

Safety goggles can fog when in use

Face Shields

Face shields provide general protection to the entire face for a variety of hazards, such as flying debris, chemical splash, arc flash, UV radiation, and extreme heat. Impact rated face shields can be worn or face shields must be worn over primary eye protection (safety glasses or goggles) when there is a potential exposure to flying fragments or objects, hot sparks from furnace operations, potential splash from molten metal, or extreme temperatures.

Limitations:

Some face shields are not rated for impact protection. Face shields do not protect against airborne particulate hazards

Welding Shields

Welding shields are constructed of vulcanized fiber or fiberglass and fitted with a filtered lens. The shield assemblies consist of vulcanized fiber or glass-fiber body, a ratchet or button type adjustable headgear or cap attachment, and a filter and cover plate holder. Welding shields protect eyes from burns caused by infrared or intense radiant energy. Welding shields protect both the eyes and face from flying sparks, metal spatter and slag chips produced during welding, brazing, and soldering. OSHA requires welding shield filter lenses to have a shade number appropriate to protect against the specific hazards of the work being performed in order to protect against harmful light radiation. See “Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy” for information. ( [email protected] )

Welding Helmets

Welding helmets protect the eyes and face from infrared or radiant light burns, flying sparks, metal splatter, and slag chips encountered during welding, torch brazing, torch soldering, resistance welding, bare or shielded electrical arc welding, and oxy-acetylene work. Welding helmets should only be used over primary eye protection (i.e. safety glasses or safety goggles). Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Limitations:

Welding helmets do not protect against airborne particulates Welding helmets do not protect against head impact hazards except the face.

Laser Safety Glasses/Goggles

Laser safety glasses/goggles protect against intense concentrations of light produced by lasers. Laser safety glasses/goggles selection is dependent upon the laser equipment and operating conditions. For use of eye protection around lasers please refer to the Laser Eye Protection Selection Guide

Limitations:

Visibility

Electrical PPE for the Eyes

Electrical PPE for the eyes is covered in Appendix G PPE Body Protection Information of the Electrical Safety website.

Selection of Eye and Face Protection Guide

Storage and Care

Always follow manufacturer’s guidance for cleaning, storage and care. Store to prevent scratching and damage. Do not store equipment with potential exposure to high heat or direct sunlight. Inspect prior to use. Damaged or broken equipment should be discarded. Lenses that are pitted or deeply scratched are more prone to break under impact and should be replaced. Clean eye and face protection according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the manufacturer’s instructions are not available, clean with a mild soap and water solution and rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry. PPE that has been previously used by other personnel should be disinfected before issuing to another person. Follow manufacturer guidance for cleaning.

Who would wear safety goggles?

Who should wear safety goggles in a workshop? Working in a workshop can pose a series of eye risks due to exposure to flying particles, chemicals, and bright lights. Without adequate protection, these risks can cause temporary or permanent eye damage, and in some cases, can even cause blindness.

• It is important that workshop workers take measures to protect their eyes and reduce the risk of eye injuries.
• Exposure to flying particles, often derived from the use of mechanical tools such as grinders and drills, can cause serious eye damage due to trauma to the cornea or conjunctiva of the eye.

Such trauma can cause irreversible damage to the eye structures that can result in partial or total vision loss, so it is essential that workshop workers use certified CE impact-resistant safety glasses or face shields (level S or F) to protect themselves.

1. Another eye risk in workshops is exposure to chemicals,
2. Chemicals can cause eye irritation, inflammation, and, in severe cases, chemical burns.
3. Workshop workers who handle chemicals should use models of safety glasses or face shields that, in addition to covering the impact risk, provide greater closure coverage.

In this regard, we recommend that the eye protector be certified and bear the CE marking symbol “4” (Coarse Dust) or “3” (Liquid Droplets) that ensure sufficient tightness of the protector. Prolonged exposure to bright light can also be an ocular risk in workshops. Bright light can cause eye fatigue and, in some cases, can contribute to the development of cataracts. Workers in workshops who are exposed to bright lights should use safety glasses with appropriate filters to protect their eyes from bright light.

In addition to the above, if the worker requires correction, the best solution is the use of prescription safety glasses, Currently, the range of models to choose from is very wide and covers all types of risks. Prescription safety glasses allow workers to wear their protective glasses without the need to use their regular prescription glasses, avoiding the need to switch between their glasses and the eye protector and facilitating the completion of tasks.

The use of prescription safety glasses eliminates the need for over glasses to perform tasks. The use of over glasses can often be uncomfortable during the long workday. PEGASO prescription safety glasses offer ocular protection against the risks to which one is exposed, increase the comfort of use, and are certified.

You can learn how to choose the most suitable safety glasses In addition to using appropriate eye protection, it is important to keep the eye protection clean and in good condition. Good maintenance and storage of eye protectors will extend their useful life and maintain the good condition of the eye protector.

Always follow the conservation instructions provided by the manufacturer. : Who should wear safety goggles in a workshop?

What’s the difference between safety glasses and goggles?

Safety Goggles vs. Safety Glasses Key Differences – Which do you need for your own projects and tasks? Here are the key differences between goggles and glasses:

Safety goggles offer complete protection around your eye. Safety glasses may only offer protection around the front and sides (not to the top).

Safety glasses are more comfortable and lightweight. Safety goggles can be bulky, difficult to take on and off, and painful.

Safety glasses can’t be worn with your corrective lenses. Safety goggles can be worn over corrective lenses, but there’s no guarantee you’ll enjoy the way it feels.

Both safety goggles and safety glasses have a tendency to fog. This means you’ll have to take them off to wipe the lenses. Anytime you remove your protective eyewear, there’s a chance you could injure your eye or contaminate your glasses with dirty hands or cleaning rags.

Neither safety goggles nor safety glasses are a good look for your profile picture.

If only there was a way to get the full eye protection offered by safety goggles with the lightweight comfortability provided by safety glasses. Oh—and make them look good, too.

Do I need safety goggles if I wear glasses?

Pros and Cons of Wearing Safety Goggles Over Your Glasses – You know you have to protect your eyes, but you also have to be able to see clearly, which requires you to keep your eyeglasses on. Wearing safety goggles over your eyeglasses has a few benefits:

Eye safety. Your eyeglasses don’t protect you against hazards as well as safety goggles do. They aren’t designed to keep your eyes safe from debris or chemicals, and they can’t withstand impact like a pair of safety goggles can.

Eyeglass safety. Your eyeglasses aren’t made from the same materials that safety goggles are. Eyeglasses can easily break or scratch if they come in contact with flying debris. Safety goggles can protect your eyeglasses from becoming damaged.

There are, however, some issues with wearing safety goggles over your eyeglasses.

Poor fit. Most of the time, safety goggles aren’t designed to specifically fit over your eyeglasses. This makes them ill-fitting, which could cause them to slip, slide, or come off while you wear them.

Uncomfortable. Because you’ll essentially be wearing two pairs of glasses, it can be uncomfortable above your ears and on the bridge of your nose. The safety goggles can press your eyeglasses into your face, making them feel tight and even causing pain. If you have safety goggles that fit with a rubber head strap, that can also be painful and pull on your hair.

Distracting. If your safety goggles don’t fit very well and are uncomfortable, chances are they’re going to distract you. Distraction can cause accidents and injury in hazardous environments.

If your safety goggles don’t fit well over your glasses, you’ll be more tempted to take them off, even if it’s just for a brief break. When you aren’t wearing your safety goggles, you’re vulnerable to injury. You need a better solution.

Are safety goggles considered PPE?

Eye and Face Protection Wear Factors and Limitations – When lenses become severely scratched or pitted they should be replaced. Frames and elastic bands should be replaced when they become worn or broken. Eye and face protection should be selected based on the hazard present as stated above. : PPE – Eye and Face Protection Information

What is the primary reason you should wear eye and face protection?

Overview – Thousands of people are blinded each year from work-related eye injuries that could have been prevented with the proper selection and use of eye and face protection. OSHA requires employers to ensure the safety of all employees in the work environment.

Jack Gloop