25 Jul Eye Protection – Seeing Is Believing

Eye Protection

Seeing Is Believing

An eye injury can happen in the blink of an eye. Flying particles, chemicals, dust, sparks, and harmful light can cause serious injury or permanent vision loss. Proper eye and face protection is essential whenever these hazards are present.

Eye protection—including safety glasses, goggles, face shields, and welding helmets—must be appropriate for the hazard and meet applicable OSHA requirements. Prescription or ordinary street-wear glasses are not a substitute for required safety eyewear. Employees who wear prescription lenses must use approved prescription safety eyewear or appropriate protective eyewear that fits over their glasses.

Signs should be posted at entrances to areas where eye protection is required and near equipment or operations requiring specific types of protection.

Preventing Eye Injuries

Employees should be trained to recognize eye hazards, select and properly use required protection, inspect and care for their PPE, and know what to do if an eye injury occurs.

Common eye hazards and appropriate responses include:

• Foreign particles: Dust, dirt, metal fragments, wood chips, and other particles may enter the eyes during grinding, cutting, drilling, sawing, brushing, hammering, or similar operations. Wear appropriate safety glasses with side protection or goggles. If a loose particle enters the eye, flush it gently with clean water. Do not rub the eye or attempt to remove an embedded object. Seek medical attention for embedded objects or persistent symptoms.
• Chemical splashes: Solvents, cleaners, corrosives, and other chemicals can cause severe eye damage. Wear chemical-splash goggles and additional face protection when required. If a hazardous chemical enters the eye, immediately begin flushing at an eyewash station and continue for the period specified by the SDS or emergency procedure—generally at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention as appropriate.
• Welding and radiant energy: Welding, cutting, lasers, and other operations can expose the eyes to harmful radiation. Use properly selected filter lenses, welding helmets, or other protection appropriate for the operation. Symptoms of exposure may be delayed, so report suspected exposure and obtain medical evaluation.
• Blows to the eye: If struck in or around the eye, do not apply pressure. A cold compress may be used gently for a minor injury, but serious pain, impaired vision, bleeding, or significant swelling requires prompt medical attention.
• Cuts or penetrating injuries: Do not rub, press, wash, or attempt to remove an embedded object. Protect the injured eye from further contact or movement and obtain immediate medical attention.

Use the Right Protection

Different hazards require different protection:

• Safety glasses with side protection protect against many flying-object hazards.
• Goggles provide greater protection against dust, particles, and chemical splashes.
• Face shields provide additional face protection but generally do not replace required safety glasses or goggles underneath.
• Welding helmets and filter lenses protect against harmful optical radiation and flying sparks or particles when properly selected for the operation.

Inspect eye and face protection before use. Replace equipment that is cracked, excessively scratched, damaged, or otherwise unable to provide adequate protection. Keep lenses clean so that poor visibility does not create another hazard.

Remember

Eye safety is no accident. Nothing can replace your eyesight. Recognize the hazard, choose the proper protection, keep it in good condition, and wear it whenever required.