Page 86 - Occupational Health & Safety, June 2017

VISION PROTECTION
■ high for unacceptable risks that are likely to occur
Organizations should always consider ways to eliminate or modify unacceptable vision risks.
Manufacturers often have product managers who specialize in specific pro- tection categories, such as eye safety. These product managers, or product champions, often will consult with safety professionals to help them understand and identify the safety risks and dangers at their job site.
2. Control the hazard by elimination, engineering controls, administrative con- trols, or through the use of the appropri- ate PPE.
Elimination or substitution of the hazard
is the most effective method for removing a hazard. For example, can I use a water- based chemical that is not harmful instead of a solvent-based chemical that could damage a worker’s vision? Unfortunately, elimination or substitution is often not pos- sible or practical.
Engineering controls are another effec- tive method for reducing worker exposure to hazards. They include designs or modi- fications to plants, warehouses, equipment, ventilation systems, and workstations to make these areas safer or more ergonomic.
Administrative controls change the way the work is done to achieve a safer outcome, including timing of work, policies, rules,
work practices, operating procedures, etc. Personal protective equipment provides protection against hazards. It should be used when other safety controls are not practical or be used in addition to other controls. For example, to help prevent eye injury, make sure your employees are wear-
ing ANSI Z87+ impact resistant eyewear. 3. Choose safety glasses with the ANSI
marking of “Z87+” for your workers. ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2015, American Na- tional Standard for Occupational and Edu- cational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices, sets forth criteria related to the general requirements, testing, permanent marking, selection, care, and use of protec- tors to minimize the occurrence and sever- ity or prevention of injuries from such haz- ards as impact, non-ionizing radiation, and liquid splash exposures in occupational and educational environments, including, but not limited to, machinery operations, material welding and cutting, chemical
handling, and assembly operations. Certain hazardous exposures are not covered in this standard. These include, but are not limited to: bloodborne pathogens, X-rays, high energy particulate radiation, microwaves, radio-frequency radiation la-
sers, masers, and sports and recreation. ANSI Z87.1-2015 provides clarifica- tions to markings on lenses and frames, and seeing that “+” mark on your lenses
and frames means the glasses or goggles you’re about to wear have been tested for impact resistance and found satisfactory. The “Z87+” marking is like a seal of ap- proval indicating high-velocity impact, and “Z87” alone means basic impact.
What Are the PPE Options
for Eye Protection?
There are many different kinds of PPE that provide eye protection. These include safety eyewear, goggles, side shields, brow guards, and eyewash stations, all of which play a prominent role in preventing injury and vision impairment. However, let’s take a closer look at safety eyewear because it is one of the primary PPE segments.
Safety eyewear
Safety glasses have evolved from rather mundane styles to super stylish eyewear that can be used after the workday is over. Safety eyewear is available with:
■ Anti-fog coatings that are either water based or solvent based to prevent fogged glasses, which is a common eyewear complaint
■ Scratch- and abrasion-resistant coatings
■ De-centered lenses for enhanced optimal clarity
■ Polarized lenses to reduce glare
■ HD technology for optical clarity
■ UV protection to protect against the
sun’s harmful rays
■ A variety of tints to reduce glare,
screen hazardous radiation, or to provide other task specific filtration
■ Filter lenses with a shade number for protection from radiant energy (Note: The shade number indicates the intensity of light radiation that is allowed to pass through a filter lens to one’s eyes. Therefore, the higher the shade number, the darker the filter and the less light radiation that will pass through the lens.)
■ RX and bifocal
■ Over-the-Glass (OTG) to use with prescription eyewear
■ Comfort features, such as rubber nose pieces and temples for a secure and comfortable fit all day long
There are many things to consider when specifying eye protection for your job site:
■ Comfort. Many end users are re- quired to wear their eyewear for extended periods of time, so comfort is a critical is- sue. When a safety glass is comfortable to
OSHA’S GENERAL EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS FOR EYE PROTECTION
1910.133(a)(1)
The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.
1910.133(a)(2)
The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses eye protec- tion that provides side protection when there is a hazard from flying objects. Detachable side protectors (e.g. clip-on or slide-on side shields) meeting the pertinent requirements of this section are acceptable.
1910.133(a)(3)
The employer shall ensure that each affected employee who wears prescription lenses while engaged in operations that involve eye hazards wears eye protec- tion that incorporates the prescription in its design, 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.
1910.133(a)(4)
Eye and face PPE shall be distinctly marked to facilitate identification of the manufacturer.
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