10/10/2007

By many accounts, occupational eye injuries result in nearly $475 million in medical costs in the United States each year. Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the eyes and face is used to prevent or lessen the severity of injuries to workers from hazards, including impacts, heat, chemicals, dust, and optical radiation.

• Impact hazards. Flying objects such as large chips, fragments, particles, sand, and dirt are examples of impact hazards. Common tasks related to impact hazards include chopping, grinding, machining, performing masonry work, woodworking, sawing, drilling, chiseling, powered fastening, riveting, and sanding.
• Heat hazards. Furnace operations, pouring, casting, hot dipping, and welding are associated with heat hazards to the eyes.
• Chemical hazards. Splashes, fumes, vapors, and irritating mists are the primary hazards associated with chemicals. Activities commonly related to chemical hazards include acid and chemical handling, degreasing, plating, and working with blood.
• Dust. Woodworking, buffing, and working in generally dusty conditions are activities related to dust hazards.
• Optical radiation. Welding, torch-cutting, brazing, soldering, and laser work produce optical radiation hazards such as radiant energy, glare, and intense light.

There are three primary types of PPE for eye and face hazards:

1. Safety glasses. Safety glasses can be worn for impact, heat, and optical radiation hazards. They are not appropriate for dust or chemical hazards because they do not fit snugly to the face. Safety glasses have impact-resistant frames and lenses. Lenses can be either plano (for workers who don't require vision correction) or prescription. Safety glasses are available with clear, filtered, or tinted lenses. When worn for protection from impact hazards, safety glasses must have side shields.
2. Goggles. Because they fit snugly to the face, goggles provide protection from objects coming from above, below, and the sides. They are appropriate for impact hazards, heat hazards, dust, and optical radiation hazards. Lenses in most goggles are designed to resist moderate impact. Goggles can incorporate prescription lenses, and some models fit over prescription glasses. For tasks where fogging may be a problem, ventilated goggles are available. Since they allow air in, ventilated goggles are generally not appropriate for chemical hazards such as vapors or mists.
3. Face shields. Face shields provide full face protection from a variety of hazards. Because they do not create a seall around the face, they do not provide protection from dust, nor do they sufficiently protect against chemical or impact hazards; face shields must be used in conjunction with safety glasses or goggles when these hazards are present.

Additional Resources:

More articles on Eye and Face Protection

Trainer's Handbook: Eye Protection; Train Workers to Envision Eye Safety (Start your guest access and get this now)