Page 32 - OHS, November/December 2020

VISION PROTECTION
Probability Severity
Very Likely
Likely
Unlikely
Very Unlikely
Fatality/Disability
1
1
2
3
Long Term Illness/ Serious Injury
1
2
3
4
Medical Attention/Days off Work
2
3
4
5
First Aid Only
3
4
5
6
used should always be based on the NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls Model, which includes the following:
Elimination. To prevent eye injuries in the workplace, the best and more permanent solution is to eliminate the hazard altogether. An example of a visual hazard elimination may include removing the cause of flying debris, such as falling objects. This can be accomplished by correcting conditions that cause the objects to fall (i.e. more frequent clean-ups, guards to prevent objects from falling from conveyors, etc.).
Substitution. Substitution for visual hazards could be challenging, but with some creativity, it can be achieved. For example, substitute the more harmful or hazardous chemicals with those than pose less of a risk.
Engineering controls. Engineering controls to prevent eye injuries are limitless in nature. For example, a grinding operation that creates flying debris and dust can be placed in a glove box. This will contain the debris, but it has limits due to manufactured part sizes. Other engineering controls may include isolation from the hazard, such as the separation of employees from laser beams.
Administrative controls. Administrative controls include training, procedures, policies or shift designs. These are intended to change the behavior of employees rather than actually removing the hazard.
Personal Protective Equipment. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is one of the most common methods of protecting workers from eye injuries. It is used in conjunction with other control methods and will be discussed in more detail below.
Evaluation/Supervision of Controls
After implementation, these control measures must be evaluated. It is important that all hazard assessments be reviewed at least annually to ensure validity.
Selection of PPE for Visual Hazards
The selection of the appropriate PPE must be based on the comprehensive hazard assessment. All safety eyewear must be clearly labeled as “ANSI Z87” (American National Standards Institute.) ANSI Z87 is a certification process that tests eyewear for basic and high impact for lenses and frames, exposure to non- ionizing radiation and chemicals and durability to flammables and corrosion.
Specific Hazards
Dust and flying debris. The most often used PPE to prevent eye injuries from dust and flying debris includes safety glasses, goggles and shields. These devices are rated to protect against high-impact debris and chemicals. In addition to standard safety glasses, many safety professionals now recommend “enhanced
eyewear,” which are those that have foam rims around the edges to prevent the intrusion of particles behind the lenses. These types of eyewear greatly reduce the risk of flying debris but are not without their problems.
In humid environments, these glasses tend to fog more often and can create conditions where workers are pulling them off more often to clear them. The use of anti-fog wipes is helpful, but it does not eliminate the problem entirely.
Impact tools. The use of safety glasses and face shields is useful in preventing eye injuries resulting from nail or staple guns or air- compressed tools.
Chemicals. As has been mentioned, the time of mixing and pouring of chemicals is critical in determining the prevention of eye injuries. When pouring or mixing chemicals, the best PPE to wear to protect from injuries to the eyes would be the use of vented goggles and a face shield, both of which are recommended.
Optical radiation: Lasers. Optical radiation protection against lasers begins with the selection of a filter. To select the appropriate PPE, the maximum power density or intensity of the laser must be determined. Once this has been done, the PPE lens can be selected.
OSHA recommends that the selection of laser protection should depend upon the lasers in use and the operating conditions. The following table shows the maximum power or energy density for which adequate protection is afforded by safety goggles of optical densities 5 through 8. (29 CFR 1926.102(b)(2)(i)
Welding Operations. The intensity of welding (due to visible light and radiant energy) depends on the task, the electrode size and the arc current. Only filters with the appropriate shade number will provide against optical radiation, (OSHA). Most welding helmets come equipped with automatic lenses which automatically determine the proper lens darkness based on the intensity of light.
In summary, eye injuries are too common in today’s workplace environment. Therefore, great emphasis should be placed on the employer to prevent such injuries. These efforts begin with a comprehensive inventory of visual hazards, the selection of controls and the selection of the most appropriate PPE.
W. David Yates, Ph.D., CSP, is a safety manager for Carmeuse North America and a faculty member for Columbia Southern University. Yates is the author of “Safety Professional’s Reference & Study Guide” and has been training and educating safety professionals for more than 25 years.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/eye/default.html
2. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/eyeandface/ppe/light_radiation. html#:~:text=Only%20filter%20lenses%20with%20the,to%20specific%20 radiant%20energy%20exposure.
Intensity, CW maximum power density (watts/cm2)
Attenuation
Optical Density Attenuation Factor (O.D.)
10(-2)
5
10(5)
10(-1)
6
10(6)
1.0
7
10(7)
10.0
8
10(8)
26 Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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