Page 27 - OHS, November/December 2024

Goggles may be vented, indirectly vented, or non-vented.
Goggles may be vented, indirectly vented, or non-vented.
Where chemicals are not a concern, vented options allow air fl ow
Where chemicals are not a concern, vented options allow air fl ow
and prevent condensation buildup on the lenses.
and prevent condensation buildup on the lenses.
Facing the Facts
Facing the Facts
Let’s not forget face protection. Harm to the face can occur from
fl ying debris, harmful chemicals, and other hazards. Face shields
provide the highest impact protection and should be worn to guard
against fl ying fragments, sprays, and grinding debris as well as
chemical or biological (bloodborne) hazards.
When worn alone, however, face shields do not provide ade-
quate protection for the worker. Th erefore, OSHA states in letters
of interpretation and other reference materials that safety glasses
or goggles should still be worn under a face shield as the prima-
ry eye protection. Th is is important to protect workers especially
when the shield is lift ed or to prevent particles from getting under
the shield and lodging in the eyes.
Face shields are made with diff erent materials and in varying
degrees of thickness. Th ese materials must correspond with spe-
cifi c tasks to provide suffi cient protection. As an example, specialty
protection such as fi ltered helmets or goggles may be needed for
welding operations or work around lasers.
OSHA’s Expectations
OSHA requires in 1910.133 (a)(1) that employers, “ensure that
each aff ected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection
when exposed to eye or face hazards from fl ying particles, molten
when exposed to eye or face hazards from fl ying particles, molten
metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or
metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or
vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.”
vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.”
In other words, employers must provide suitable protection for
In other words, employers must provide suitable protection for
the work being performed and ensure the protection is worn prop-
the work being performed and ensure the protection is worn prop-
erly. Eye and face protection is required when there is a potential
for injury not just to workers, but vendors, visitors, and others that
may be exposed to hazards.
Th e standard also requires that eye and face protection is certi-
fi ed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Certi-
fi ed protection will have “ANSI Z87.1” imprinted on the lens or
frame. Additionally, employers must ensure aff ected employees use
side protection, fi lter lenses, and appropriate protection for pre-
scription eyewear to protect workers from hazards.
Th e key takeaway to remember is that OSHA requires employ-
ers to protect their worker’s eyes and faces by selecting glasses,
goggles, or faceshields that provide the best protection from ex-
isting hazards. All the OSHA Regulations related to 1910 Subpart
I-Personal Protective Equipment can be found at www.osha.gov/
laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910.
Cindy Pauley is an Editor for J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. on the
Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Publishing Team. Cindy is
both a Certifi ed Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS) and a Certi-
fi ed Occupational Hearing Conservationist (COHC) with a Master
of Arts (MA) and Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA).
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