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PPE for Eyes and Face
PPE for Eyes and Face
Selecting PPE
for the Workplace
 Personal
protective equipment (PPE) for the eyes and face is designed to prevent
or lessen the severity of injuries to workers. The employer must assess
the workplace and determine if hazards that necessitate the use of eye
and face protection are present or are likely to be present before
assigning PPE to workers.
A hazard assessment should determine the risk of exposure to eye and
face hazards, including those which may be encountered in an emergency.
Employers should be aware of the possibility of multiple and
simultaneous hazard exposures and be prepared to protect against the
highest level of each hazard. |
|
Hazard Assessment |
| Hazard
type |
Examples of Hazard |
Common Related Tasks |
|
Impact |
Flying objects such as large chips,
fragments, particles, sand, and dirt. |
Chipping, grinding, machining, masonry work,
wood working, sawing, drilling, chiseling, powered fastening,
riveting, and sanding. |
|
Heat |
Anything emitting extreme heat. |
Furnace operations, pouring, casting, hot
dipping, and welding. |
|
Chemicals |
Splash, fumes, vapors, and irritating mists. |
Acid and chemical handling, degreasing,
plating, and working with blood. |
|
Dust |
Harmful Dust. |
Woodworking, buffing, and general dusty
conditions. |
|
Optical Radiation |
Radiant energy, glare, and intense light |
Welding, torch-cutting, brazing, soldering,
and laser work. |
|
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PPE
Selection: Impact Hazards
The majority of impact injuries result from flying or falling
objects, or sparks striking the eye. Most of these objects are
smaller than a pin head and can cause serious injury such as
punctures, abrasions, and contusions.
While working in a hazardous area where the worker is exposed to
flying objects, fragments, and particles, primary protective
devices such as safety spectacles with side shields or goggles
must be worn. Secondary protective devices such as face shields
are required in conjunction with primary protective devices
during severe exposure to impact hazards. |
|
PPE Devices for Impact Hazards |
|
Spectacles |
Primary protectors intended to
shield the eyes from a variety of impact hazards. |
|
Goggles |
Primary protectors intended to
shield the eyes against flying fragments, objects, large
chips, and particles. |
|
Face Shields |
Secondary protectors intended
to protect the entire face against exposure to impact
hazards. |
|
PPE
Selection: Heat
 Heat
injuries may occur to the eye and face when workers are exposed
to high temperatures, splashes of molten metal, or hot sparks.
Protect your eyes from heat when workplace operations involve
pouring, casting, hot dipping, furnace operations, and other
similar activities. Burns to eye and face tissue are the main
concern when working with heat hazards.
Working with heat hazards requires eye protection such as
goggles or safety spectacles with special-purpose lenses and
side shields. However, many heat hazard exposures require the
use of a face shield in addition to
safety spectacles or goggles. When selecting PPE, consider the
source and intensity of the heat and the type of splashes that
may occur in the workplace. |
|
PPE Devices for Heat Hazards |
|
Spectacles |
Primary protectors intended to
shield the eyes from a variety of heat hazards. |
|
Goggles |
Primary protectors intended to
shield the eyes against a variety of heat hazards. |
|
Face Shields |
Secondary protectors intended
to shield the entire face against exposure to high
temperatures, splash from molten metal, and hot sparks. |
|
PPE Selection: Chemicals
A large percentage of eye injuries
are caused by
direct contact with chemicals. These injuries often
result from an inappropriate choice of PPE, that allows
a chemical substance to enter from around or under
protective eye equipment. Serious and irreversible
damage can occur when chemical substances
contact the eyes in the form of splash, mists,
vapors, or fumes. When working with or around chemicals,
it is important to know the location of
emergency eyewash stations and how to access them
with restricted vision.
When fitted and worn correctly, goggles protect your
eyes from hazardous substances. A face shield may be
required in areas where workers are exposed to severe
chemical hazards. |
|
PPE Devices for
Chemical Hazards |
|
Goggles |
Primary protectors
intended to shield the eyes against liquid or
chemical splash, irritating mists, vapors, and
fumes. |
|
Face Shields |
Secondary protectors
intended to protect the entire face against
exposure to chemical hazards. |
|
PPE Selection: Dust
 Dust
is present in the workplace during operations such as woodworking and
buffing. Working in a dusty environment can causes eye injuries and
presents additional hazards to contact lens wearers.
Either eyecup or cover-type safety goggles should be worn when dust is
present. Safety goggles are the only effective type of eye protection
from nuisance dust because they create a protective seal around the
eyes. |
|
PPE Devices for Dust Hazards |
|
Goggles |
Primary protectors intended to protect
the eyes against a variety of airborne particles and harmful
dust. |
|
PPE
Selection: Optical Radiation
 Laser
work and similar operations create intense concentrations of heat,
ultraviolet, infrared, and reflected light radiation. A laser beam, of
sufficient power, can produce intensities greater than those experienced
when looking directly at the sun. Unprotected laser exposure may result
in eye injuries including retinal burns, cataracts, and permanent
blindness. When lasers produce invisible ultraviolet, or other
radiation, both employees and visitors should use appropriate eye
protection at all times.
Determine the maximum power density, or intensity, lasers produce when
workers are exposed to laser beams. Based on this knowledge, select
lenses that protect against the maximum intensity. The selection of
laser protection should depend upon the lasers in use and the operating
conditions. Workers with exposure to laser beams must be furnished
suitable laser protection.
|
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Lens
Requirements |
| When
selecting filter lenses, begin with a shade too dark to see the
welding zone. Then try lighter shades until one allows a
sufficient view of the welding zone without going below the
minimum protective shade.
|
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Glare Protection |
Control
Glare with:
-
Special-Purpose Spectacles that include
filter or special-purpose lenses to provide protection
against eye strain
- Changes in your work area or lighting
- Tinted eyeglass lenses or visor-type shade
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