EYE
AND FACE PROTECTION
Eye
and face protective equipment is required by
OSHA where there is a reasonable probability
of preventing injury when such equipment is
used. Employers must provide a type of protector
suitable for work to be performed and employees
must use the protectors. These stipulations
also apply to supervisors and management personnel,
and should apply to visitors while they are
in hazardous areas.
The
BLS study found that about 60 percent of workers
who suffered eye injuries were not wearing eye
protective equipment. When asked why they were
not wearing face protection at the time of the
accident, workers indicated that face protection
was not normally used or practiced in their
type of work, or it was not required for the
type of work performed at the time of the accident.
Suitable
eye protectors must be provided where there
is a potential for eye injury from machines,
flying objects, glare, liquids, injurious radiation
or a combination of these. Protectors must meet
the following minimum requirements:
- Adequately
protect against the particular hazards for
which they are designed;
- Be
reasonably comfortable when worn under the
designated conditions;
- Fit
snugly without interfering with the movements
or vision of the wearer;
- Be
durable;
- Be
capable of being disinfected;
- Be
easily cleanable; and
- Be
kept clean and in good repair.
Every
protector shall be distinctly marked to facilitate
identification only of the manufacturer.
Each
affected employee shall use equipment with filter
lenses that have a shade number appropriate
for the work being performed for protection
from injurious light radiation. A listing of
appropriate shade numbers for various operations
can be found in Standard 1910.133, page 16.
OSHA
and the National Society to Prevent Blindness
recommend that emergency eyewashes be placed
in all hazardous locations. First-aid instructions
should be posted close to potential danger spots
since any delay to immediate aid or an early
mistake in dealing with an eye injury can result
in lasting damage.
Selection
Each
eye, face, or face-and-eye protector is designed
for a particular hazard. In selecting the protector,
consideration should be given to the kind and
degree of hazard, and the protector should be
selected on that basis. Where a choice of protectors
is given and the degree of protection required
is not an important issue, worker comfort may
be a deciding factor. The BLS survey showed
that few workers ever complained about poor
vision or discomfort with personal eye protection
equipment.
The
survey noted that the typical injury was caused
by flying or falling blunt metal objects. Lacerations,
fractures, broken teeth and contusions were
common types of injuries reported.
Persons
using corrective spectacles and those who are
required by OSHA to wear eye protection must
wear face shields, goggles or spectacles of
one of the following types:
- Spectacles
with protective lenses providing optical correction;
- Goggles
worn over corrective spectacles without disturbing
the adjustment of the spectacles; or
- Goggles
that incorporate corrective lenses mounted
behind the protective lenses.
When
limitations or precautions are indicated by
the manufacturer, they should be transmitted
to the user and strictly observed.
Over
the years, many types and styles of eye and
face-and-eye protective equipment have been
developed to meet the demands for protection
against a variety of hazards.
Goggles
come in a number of different styles: Eyecups,
flexible or cushioned goggles, plastic eyeshield
goggles and foundrymen's goggles. Goggles are
manufactured in several styles for specific
uses such as protecting against dusts and splashes,
and in chipper's, welder's and cutter's models.
Safety
spectacles require special frames. Combinations
of normal streetwear frames with safety lenses
are not in compliance.
Many
hard hats and nonrigid helmets are designed
with face and eye protective equipment.
Design,
construction, tests and use of eye and face
protection purchased prior to July 5, 1994,
must be in accordance with ANSI Z87.1-1968,
USA Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational
Eye and Face Protection. Protective eye
and face devices purchased after July 5, 1994,
must comply with ANSI Z87.1-1989, American
National Standard Practice for Occupational
and Educational Eye and Face Protection.
Fit
Fitting
goggles and safety spectacles should be done
by someone skilled in the procedure. Prescription
safety spectacles should be fitted only by qualified
optical personnel.
Inspection
and Maintenance
It
is essential that the lenses of eye protectors
be kept clean. Continuous vision through dirty
lenses can cause eye strain -- often an excuse
for not wearing the eye protectors. Daily inspection
and cleaning of the eye protector with soap
and hot water or with a cleaning solution and
tissue is recommended.
Pitted
lenses, like dirty lenses, can be a source of
reduced vision. They should be replaced. Deep
scratches or excessively pitted lenses are apt
to break more readily.
Slack,
worn-out, sweat-soaked or twisted headbands
do not hold the eye protector in proper position.
Visual inspection can determine when the headband
elasticity is reduced to a point beyond proper
function.
Goggles
should be kept in a case when not in use. Spectacles,
in particular, should be given the same care
as one's own glasses, since the frame, nose
pads and temples can be damaged by rough usage.
Personal
protective equipment that has been previously
used should be disinfected before being issued
to another employee. Even when each employee
is assigned protective equipment for extended
periods, it is recommended that such equipment
be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Several
methods for disinfecting equipment for eye protection
are acceptable. The most effective method is
to disassemble the goggles or spectacles and
thoroughly clean all parts with soap and warm
water. Carefully rinse all traces of soap and
replace defective parts with new ones. Swab
thoroughly or completely and immerse all parts
for 10 minutes in a solution of germicidal deodorant
fungicide. Remove parts from solution and suspend
in a clean place for air drying at room temperature
or with heated air. Do not rinse after removing
parts from the solution because this will remove
the germicidal residue which retains its effectiveness
after drying.
The
dry parts or items should be placed in a clean,
dust-proof container, such as a box, bag or
plastic envelope to protect them until reissue.
Previous
Section: Head Protection
Next Section: Ear
Protection
