Page 95 - Occupational Health & Safety, June 2018

Value eyewear can be an ideal solution to outfitting the abundance of part-time workers on your force. But whether you opt for premium or value solutions, don’t overlook the important role that fit, com- fort, and style play in supporting compliance and productivity.
dance of part-time workers on your force. But whether you opt for premium or value solutions, don’t overlook the important role that fit, comfort, and style play in support- ing compliance and productivity.
OSHA calls for employers to select PPE that properly fits each affected employee. But fitting eyewear is a special case because every individual has a unique set of mea- surements for head circumference, nose bridge width, and ear and cheekbone place- ment. Ensuring that safety eyewear fits ev- ery worker properly—and comfortably—is a tall order, but a vital one.
When it fits poorly, eyewear may fall out of position upon impact or gaps may allow flying debris to enter the eyes. Fur- thermore, uncomfortable eyewear that causes soreness (usually around the ears, back of head, or nose) is distracting, can lead to headaches, and ultimately results in the eyewear’s removal. Poorly fitting or uncomfortable eyewear directly impacts an individual’s output: When workers frequently remove eyewear to rub sore spots and relieve pressure, work halts.
workers can confidently focus on the task at hand without risking the well-being of their windows to the world.
Select a Manufacturer That Understands Your Industry
It might seem like there are as many eye protection manufacturers as there are barrels of oil being produced, but only a select few truly understand your indus- try’s specific needs and provide targeted solutions to meet them. When you part- ner with a trusted manufacturer that has specialized industry knowledge and offers a portfolio of solutions designed for your needs, the task of outfitting any size work- force is simplified.
First, wherever eye protection is re- quired, be sure every pair meets the ANSI Z87.1 requirements for impact protection. Then, based on a thorough hazard as- sessment, take into account other visible and invisible hazards. For those working upstream in exploration and produc- tion, for instance, extreme outdoor envi- ronments add to the hazards, and safety eyewear must meet the rigors of the job. Look for rugged and reliable, premium, full-coverage styles that protect not only from impact, but also from wind, airborne debris, and fog. Wrap-around frames with 8- or 9-base lenses offer robust, flexible, close-to-the-face coverage, as well as un- interrupted peripheral vision, important among high-hazard environments. Sealed eyewear (a low-profile hybrid of specta- cles and goggles) is popular among those working on rigs who face extreme wind, moisture, and equipment hazards.
Workers in midstream operations such as pipeline, transportation, and storage also spend a lot of time outdoors. Consider pro- viding specialized lens tints designed for the specific lighting. Pipeline workers, for example, should be outfitted with lenses that block 99.9 percent of UVA/UVB light, as well as dark brown or gray tints to reduce the risk of vision loss from progressive eye diseases such as cataracts.
Individuals who frequently transition between indoors and out may benefit
from photochromic lenses, which darken when exposed to UV and return to clear in its absence. For those working among reflective surfaces such as concrete, sand, water, or snow, opt for polarized lenses to protect from harmful glare. When out- fitted with the proper lens tint, workers benefit from reduced eye strain, enhanced visual perception, and increased safety and productivity. Lens tint options are vast and should be considered carefully for the best performance.
Select Eyewear That Supports Com- pliance to Improve Productivity
In the downstream sector where refining and processing take place, value eye protec- tion may be sufficient to protect from com- mon hazards. In fact, value eyewear can be an ideal solution to outfitting the abun-
www.ohsonline.com
Circle 53 on card. See us at ASSE, Booth 2301
91