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What to Look for When Choosing Protective Eyewear

Introduction

According to Prevent Blindness America, 1,000 eye injuries occur each day. Of these, 16% take place at the worksite.

In 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed by a bipartisan Congress and signed by President Nixon, stating that this bill was passed "...to ensure so far as possible, every working man and woman in the nation, safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources." This Act has helped shape the personal protective equipment (PPE) industry.

Regulations

Code 29 of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.132, as determined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), lists general requirements for PPE.

Application

Protective equipment including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers shall be provided, used and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.

(Eye and face protection requirements are outlined in 29 CFR 1910.133.)

General Requirements

1. The employer must ensure that each affected employee must use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids, caustic gases, vapors or potentially injurious light radiation.
2. The employer must ensure that each affected employee must use eye protection that provides side protection when there is a hazard form flying objects. Detachable side protectors (e.g. clip-on or slide-on side shields) meeting pertinent requirements of this section are acceptable.
3. The employer must ensure that each affected employee who wears prescription lenses while engaged in operations that involve eye hazards wear eye protection that incorporates the prescription in its design, or wears or wears eye protection that can be worn over the prescription lenses without disturbing the proper position of the prescription lenses or the protective lenses.
4. Eye and face personal protective equipment must be distinctly marked to facilitate identification of the manufacturer.
5. The employer must ensure that each affected employee must use equipment with filter lenses that have a shade number appropriate for the work being performed from protection from injurious light radiation.

Criteria for Protective Eye & Face Devices

1. 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, or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective.
2. Eye and face protective devices purchased before July 5, 1994 must comply with the ANSI Z87.1-1968, USA Standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection, or shall be demonstrated by the employer to be equally effective.

NOTE: On June 19, 2003, ANSI Z87.1-2003 - Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protective Devices standard, was approved. Several changes and modifications were made to the standard they are summarized in EZ Facts® 251.

Currently, ANSI Z87.1-1989 is incorporated by reference in 29 CFR 1910.133. As such, it carries the force of the law. If OSHA adopts ANSI Z87.1-2003, the change will be noted in the Federal Register. Lab Safety Supply will continue to monitor the Federal Register for an announcement of such changes.

Size and Style Protective eyewear is available in several sizes and may be either single or double lens. Fit of the eyewear is very important. The closer the eyewear fits to the person's face, the less chance of an object getting in around the edge of the eyewear and striking the eye. A good fit is also important because if the eyewear is uncomfortable, workers will be less likely to wear it. Frame and Lens Markings Eye and face protection, such as glasses, goggles and face shields, that is in compliance with ANSI Z87.1-1989 must be marked as illustrated to the right. Safety eyewear is available in a wide variety of styles and colors to fit almost anyone's taste. Allowing workers to choose eyewear they like will increase their acceptance and wear time. And if your workers wear their eye protection regularly, they'll be less likely to suffer an eye injury.

Choosing Goggles

Goggles offer the most complete impact protection because they form a seal around the eye area-keeping dangerous objects out. They also prevent tiny dust particles, chemical splashes and vapors from getting in your eyes.

When buying goggles, you'll have to choose from the two main types:

Vented
Goggles with direct vents offer protection from impact only. They fit snugly around the eye area to prevent flying objects from striking your eyes. Direct vented goggles offer more comfort because they allow air to flow in and out to reduce the chance of fogging.

Indirect vents are "capped" to allow air to move freely in and out without allowing splash or particles in. They offer the same impact protection as the direct vented goggles. Because there isn't as much space for the air to move in and out, lens fogging may be a slight problem and you may want to consider an anti-fog lens coating to alleviate any potential problems.

Non-Vented
Non-vented goggles are just that--lenses and frames with no holes for air to seep through. They offer a higher level of protection against vapors and fumes and can be used to keep harmful vapors out of sensitive eyes. These goggles must have an anti-fog coating to keep them from steaming up while you work.

Definitions

Face Shield—A supplementary protective device worn to shield the wearer's face from certain hazards. Face shields are secondary protectors only and must be worn with safety glasses or goggles, as stated in ANSI Z87.1-1989.

Goggle—A wraparound, protective device that fits the face, surrounding the eyes in order to shield them from impact, splash and vapor hazards. Available non-vented or with direct or indirect vents.

Impact Resistance—The ability of safety eyewear to withstand impact when tested according to ANSI requirements. Eyewear in compliance will be stamped as approved.

Infrared Radiation—Electromagnetic energy with wavelengths 780 to 2000nm.

Lens Impact Resistance—A lens capable of withstanding the appropriate ANSI Z87.1-1989 impact tests.

Luminous Transmittance—The fraction of light (380–780nm) which passes through a medium.

Nanometer (nm)—One billionth of a meter.

Optical Radiation—The part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths between 200 and 2000nm.

Sideshield—A part of safety glasses, commonly attached to spectacles, that provides protection to the side of the eye.

Spectacle—A protective device to shield the wearer's eyes from a variety of hazards, depending on spectacle type.

Ultraviolet Radiation—Electromagnetic energy with wavelengths from 200–380nm.

Welding Helmet—A protective device intended to shield the eyes and face from optical radiation and impact. Welding helmets are secondary protectors and shall be used only in conjunction with primary protectors.

Sources for More Information

29 CFR 1910.132, General Requirements.

29 CFR 1910.133, Eye and Face Protection.

American National Standard Institute (ANSI)
11 W. 42nd St.
New York, NY 10036
(212) 642-4900

ANSI Z87.1-1989, American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection

ANSI Z87.1-2003, American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection Devices

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