Page 26 - OHS, November/December 2024

P P E : E Y E & F A C E P R O T E C T I O N
Beyond the Goggles: Navigating Eye and Face Protection
What are the right PPE solutions for the hazards present in the workplace?
BY CINDY PAULEY, COSS, COHC, MA
humming machinery, as products are swift ly loaded onto deliv-
Imagine a bustling workplace, with workers hustling around
ery trucks. However, amidst this vibrant scene, there is a trou-
bling reality. Every year, thousands of workers are unable to
envision this scene anymore. Amidst the productivity, the signifi -
cance of protecting workers’ eyes can be easily overlooked, leading
to life-altering consequences.
In the workplace, our eyes and faces are continuously exposed
to various risks such as fl ying particles, molten metal, liquid chem-
icals, dust, or light radiation. Th e Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
reported 18,510 eye-related lost time injuries in 2020. Additionally,
in 2024, OSHA issued 2,074 violations specifi cally related to eye
and face protection. Hazard protection must be viewed as more
than simply regulatory compliance, but also as safeguarding long-
term employee health.
While PPE is typically required for most jobs, it should be con-
sidered as a last resort for protection. Priority should be given to
higher levels of protection such as eliminating hazards through en-
gineering controls like guards or barrier shields. When engineer-
ing or other controls are not suffi cient for complete worker protec-
tion, the use of PPE becomes necessary.
How Do Eye and Face Injuries Happen?
Eye and face injuries can occur at any time when hazards align
with particular materials, types of work, and worker behavior or
decisions including. See Table 1 below.
According to the BLS, approximately 40 percent of injured
workers were wearing protective eyewear when the incident oc-
curred. However, over 90 percent of the injuries resulted from
objects or chemicals making their way around or under the eye
protection. Th is highlights that when procedural or work practice
gaps exist, workers can get hurt.
Employers have a responsibility to provide, at no cost to the
employee, eye and face protection specifi cally designed for haz-
ards present in their workplace. Th is protection may include safety
glasses with side shields, goggles, and face shields.
Table 1: Scenarios in Which Eye and Face Injuries Can Occur
The Eyes Have It
Our eyes play a crucial role in navigating our surroundings and
interacting with people, animals, and items. Th ey allow us to focus
quickly and eff ortlessly on near or distant objects, perceive col-
ors, and recognize potential danger. For many workers, the mere
thought of an eye injury sends shivers down their spine.
Unfortunately, others may see eye protection as task or incon-
venience. Th e reality, according to the Center for Disease Control
(CDC), is that approximately 2,000 workers sustain a work-relat-
ed eye injury every year, with about one-third of them requiring
emergency hospital treatment. Without the proper protection, it’s
only a matter of time before a serious eye injury occurs.
Eye protection includes glasses with protective lenses; goggles
worn over corrective glasses; or goggles that incorporate corrective
lenses mounted behind the protective lenses.
Corrective lenses should be incorporated when sight assistance
is needed. Comfort is another consideration for consistent use of
eye protection and must be addressed. Safety glasses should rest
fi rmly on the top of the nose and near, but not against, the face.
Th ey should never cause pain on the temples and should have a
nose piece that prevents slippage due to moisture or sweat. Re-
member, the best protection is that which is worn!
Don’t Get Boggled by Goggles
Goggles provide a higher level of protection compared to safety
glasses. Th ey can prevent objects, dust, UV light, and chemicals from
reaching the eyes that may otherwise fi nd their way in. Additionally,
goggles provide better blunt force protection thanks to their hard
plastic surface and soft seals designed to fi t snugly around the face.
Don’t let the thought of wearing goggles give you implemen-
tation or enforcement anxiety, though. Manufacturers have made
great strides in producing goggles that are both easier and more
comfortable to wear. Goggles come in a variety of styles that work-
ers may actually enjoy wearing, including fl exible, cushioned
goggles; plastic eye shield goggles; eyecups; and wraparound safety
glasses that convert to goggles with a soft plastic or rubber face.
Materials Types of Work Worker Behavior Decisions
Chemicals and solvents Laboratory activities Not wearing proper eye/face protection
Pressurized liquids or gases Chemical manufacturing Wearing protection improperly
Grinding debris (dust, slag, etc.) Use of power tools Wearing the wrong type of protection
Welding debris (solder, fumes, etc.) Electrical work Wearing ill-fi tting eye/face protection
Electrical sparks or debris Overhead work Wearing glasses without side shields
Glass shards Welding and grinding Not wearing glasses under goggles
Wood splinters Carpentry Wearing damaged eye/face protection
Thermal hazards and fi res Firefi ghting Use compressed air to clean clothing
Bloodborne pathogens Construction Rubbing eyes with dirty hands
26 Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 www.ohsonline.com