Protecting your eyes and face at work

Thousands of workers face preventable work-related eye injuries annually (OSHA.gov). Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) General Duty clause mandates employers to ensure employee safety. Proper selection and enforcement of eye and face protection can reduce these injuries.

Standards

OSHA standards for general industry, maritime, and construction address eye and face protection. Under General Industry (29 CFR 1910), all personal protective equipment (PPE) must be provided, used, and maintained in a clean and reliable condition whenever hazards could cause injury or impairment through absorption, inhalation, or physical contact.

General industry standards regarding eye and face protection are detailed under standard number 1910.133. Employers are required to ensure that affected employees utilize appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to hazards such as flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially harmful light radiation. Eye protection must offer side protection against flying object hazards. Employers must also ensure that employees who wear prescription lenses while performing tasks that present eye hazards use eye protection that either incorporates the prescription in its design or can be worn over the prescription lenses without affecting their correct positioning.

Guidance on protective eyewear and shade number requirements for harmful light radiation can be found in standard 1910.133(a)(5). Minimum protective shade numbers are specified based on operations and arc current.

For information specific to eye and face protection in the Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926), reference standard number 1926.102.

Hazards and controls

Trades that have the highest incidence of eye injuries include electricians, plumbers, and pipefitters. (elcosh, n.d.). Incidents may include:

- Solvent splashes
- Liquids or gases under pressure
- Electrical sparks
- Nails
- Solder specks
- Grinding dust
- Glass Bits of wire
- Welding fumes

It is necessary to be aware of potential eye injuries, especially during overhead work, welding, while using power tools, working on live circuits, and working with pressurized liquids or gas. Further, a person working near these hazards being performed must also wear personal protective equipment.

In the event something gets into someone’s eye, it is important to not rub it, but to rinse with clean water for a minimum of 15 minutes. An American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved eyewash station may be needed when operations include harmful fluids that pose a threat to workers. Eyewash stations should be located within 10 seconds of the hazard. This is defined by ANSI to be approximately 55 feet. The eyewash stations should be activated weekly to verify operation and ensure that flushing fluid is available. (ANSI Z358.1) After rinsing, seek medical attention. If a laceration occurs to the eye, do not wash, touch, or lift your eyelid. Seek medical attention.

Mitigation considerations

- Do I have my safety glasses handy?
- Do they fit properly?
- Do I know where the nearest eyewash station is?
- Do I know how to get medical attention if needed?

This is not an exhaustive list of OSHA and ANSI standards, potential hazards, and controls. Employers should establish personal protective equipment guidelines that at a minimum meet the OSHA standards for face and eye protection and maintain an eyewash station that follows the key requirements of the ANSI guidelines in required workplaces.

Resources:

Eye and face protection. (OSHA, n.d.)
American National Standards Institute. (n.d.)