Eye and Face Protection
                 



      Overview of Topic

      Protection of worker vision is a responsibility shared by both you and 
      your employees. The employer can provide all the necessary safety 
      precautions, safety equipment, first aid facilities, and even a vision 
      screening program, but the employee has to take safety seriously and use 
      the protections provided.
      
When is eye and face protection necessary? What hazards are present?
      Some of the causes of eye injuries and their related workplace operations 
      include: 
        Injurious gases, vapors, and liquids—Workers who handle acids or 
        caustics or who weld are subject to these hazards. 
        Dusts or powders, fumes, and mists—Some sources are scaling, light 
        grinding, hammering, spot welding, and woodworking. 
        Flying objects or particles—Some sources include chiseling, grinding, 
        hammering, and metalworking. These hazards cause the majority of eye 
        injuries. 
      
Engineering controls
      Plant equipment and machinery is the source of many eye injuries. Be sure 
      employees use any guards, screens, and shields that are attached to 
      equipment. Make sure they are always in place and are used along with 
      additional eye and face protection.
      
Types of eye and face protection
      A wide variety of safety equipment is available to prevent eye injuries. 
      Protective eye and face equipment must comply with ANSI guidelines and 
      must be marked directly on the piece of equipment.
      Each type of eye and face protection is designed for a specific hazard and 
      is selected for the specific hazards found on the job.
      
Wearing eye and face protection
      In order for personal protection to be effective, it must be comfortable 
      and it must be worn properly. Wearing proper eye and face protection for a 
      specific job is important. You must understand its purpose and 
      limitations. The eye and face protection must not be removed even though 
      it might feel cumbersome. Safety eyewear should be fitted by someone 
      skilled in the procedure.
      
Inspection and maintenance
      Inspection and maintenance is an important consideration for protective 
      equipment. Continuously looking through dirty lenses causes eye strain and 
      can become an excuse for not wearing eye protection. Pitted, cracked, 
      scratched, or chipped lenses reduce vision, lead to disuse of the eye 
      protection, and tend to break more readily.
      
Employee training
      Training requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) are found at 
      1910.132(f)—Training. There are specific requirements for both the 
      employer and the employee. A few of them are: 
        The employer shall provide training to each employee who is required by 
        this section to use PPE. 
        Each such employee shall be trained to know at least the following: when 
        PPE is necessary, what PPE is necessary… 
        The employer shall verify that each affected employee has received and 
        understood the required training through a written certification that 
        contains the name of each employee trained, the date(s) of training, and 
        that identifies the subject of the certification. 
      
Training tips
      You may want to review company policy on discipline for failure to use 
      assigned eye and face protection. Remind workers that OSHA developed these 
      rules for their benefit—to reduce or eliminate eye injuries at the 
      workplace.