Personal protection equipment refers to wearable items that protect employees from health and safety risks in the workplace. One important element of PPE is eye protection.
Departments are typically responsible for providing the proper PPE for eye protection. Workers are typically responsible for the costs of eye examinations.
The following are some of the possible hazards that employees could face which would put the health of their eyes at risk.
If any of these occur, the impact could cause an injury to the eye. Furthermore, some of these hazards, such as chemicals, could introduce bloodborne pathogens or other forms of infections through the eye membrane.
In conjunction with other forms of PPE, such as gloves, gowns, masks, and respirators, eye protection prevents infectious and damaging material from entering the eye.
Adequate eye protection is vital to preventing damage to the eye. Eye and face protection must meet ANSI Z87.1- “American National Standards Institute Practice of Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection”
There are several types of PPE eye protection to consider. The type you choose depends on the circumstances of exposure, other PPE in use, and personal vision needs.
Eye protection must be comfortable, it must allow for sufficient peripheral vision, and it must be adjustable to ensure it fits workers well. Furthermore, it must be suited to provide adequate protection from whatever hazards present themselves at work.
Safety glasses are constructed of metal or plastic with impact-resistant lenses. They are designed to protect the eyes from impact and flying particles.
Safety glasses must have shatterproof lenses, impact-resistant frames, and side protection. Clip-on detachable side protectors are acceptable if they meet regulatory standards.
Unlike safety goggles, safety glasses do not fit so tightly to the face. This means that they are not impervious to liquid and gas. For this reason, they should not be used for infection control, airborne particles, or protection from chemical splashes.
Furthermore, they become dislodged more easily. Take this into account if the work environment threatens to dislodge the eyewear.
Safety goggles are tight-fitting eye protection that completely covers the eye. They provide protection from impact, dust, mist, and splashes.
Many forms of goggles fit well over prescription glasses. It is important that the glasses fit snugly from the corner of the eyes and across the brow.
The main limitation of safety goggles is that they can fog up and impact vision. However, newer forms of safety goggles may provide improved airflow that reduces fogging, better peripheral vision, and a wider range of sizes.
Face shields are often used as an infection control alternative to safety goggles. As opposed to safety goggles, face shields cover the entire face.
Face shields have crown and chin protection, and wrap around to the ear. This makes them able to protect from a variety of hazards, such as flying debris, chemical splash, UV radiation, and extreme heat.
Face shields do not protect against airborne particulate hazards.
Welding shields protect eyes from burns caused by infrared or radiant energy. It protects both the eyes and face from flying sparks and molten metal splatter during welding, brazing, or soldering.
The shield consists of vulcanized fiber or glass-fiber material and an adjustable headgear. They are fitted with a filtered lens. Depending on the hazards, OSHA has different requirements for the lens of the face shield.
Welding helmets protect the eyes and face from infrared or radiant light burns, flying sparks, metal splatter, slag chips during welding, torch brazing, torch soldering, and more.
Welding helmets should only be used over primary eye protection such as safety glasses or safety goggles. They do not protect against airborne particulates.
Safety eyewear can be worn over prescription eyewear. Most safety goggles fit comfortably over prescription eyewear.
In cases where eyewear does not fit well, prescription safety glasses can be purchased. The employee is responsible for getting the prescription, while the employer is responsible for purchasing prescription safety glasses.
Contact lenses by themselves offer no protection, but they fit well with any form of eye and face protection. For workers using contact lenses, it is important to wash hands extremely well before inserting, removing, or adjusting lenses.
Many workplace environments present chemical and physical hazards to the eye that can result in serious injuries or infections. It is essential that employers provide appropriate eye protection.
Safety glasses, safety goggles, face shields, welding shields, and welding helmets are all forms of face PPE that employers can consider. Each offers benefits and limitations, meaning the optimal choice depends on the task.
