12 Sep Safety Eyewear – Eye Protection for Sun and Shade

Safety Eyewear – Eye Protection for Sun and Shade

Safety eyewear protects employees from flying particles, dust, splashes, and other hazards that can cause serious or permanent eye injuries. Whether working indoors or outdoors, employees must wear eye protection appropriate for the hazards involved.

Choosing the Right Safety Eyewear

Safety glasses are available in many styles, lens colors, and configurations, but appearance should never take priority over protection.

When selecting safety eyewear:

• Use safety glasses that comply with the current applicable ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 requirements.
• Select eyewear appropriate for the specific hazard and work being performed.
• Use side protection when there is a hazard from flying objects.
• Ensure eyewear fits properly and does not interfere with other required PPE.
• Inspect safety eyewear before use for cracks, scratches, damaged frames, or other defects.
• Replace damaged eyewear that can no longer provide adequate protection.

Ordinary prescription glasses and sunglasses are not substitutes for approved safety eyewear unless they are specifically designed and rated for occupational eye protection.

Working in Sunlight

Employees working outdoors may benefit from tinted safety eyewear that provides protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation while also providing the required impact protection.

When selecting outdoor safety eyewear:

• Use safety-rated eyewear appropriate for the work environment.
• Select lenses that provide appropriate UV protection.
• Choose a tint suitable for the lighting conditions.
• Do not use excessively dark lenses where reduced visibility could create another hazard.
• Change to clear or appropriately tinted lenses when moving into areas with lower light levels.

Tinted lenses alone do not mean the eyewear provides adequate occupational eye protection.

Moving Between Sun and Shade

Employees who frequently move between bright outdoor conditions and shaded or indoor work areas must be able to see hazards clearly.

Depending on the work, employees may need:

• Clear safety glasses for indoor or low-light areas.
• Tinted safety glasses for bright outdoor conditions.
• Approved variable-tint or other specialty safety eyewear suitable for the work environment.

Never continue wearing lenses that are so dark that they interfere with your ability to see walking surfaces, equipment, vehicles, coworkers, or other hazards.

Welding, Cutting, and Brazing

Ordinary tinted safety glasses or sunglasses must never be substituted for welding eye and face protection.

Welding, cutting, brazing, and similar operations can expose employees to intense visible light, ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, sparks, and flying particles.

• Use the appropriate filter lens or shade number for the operation.
• Wear required safety glasses or goggles beneath welding helmets when applicable.
• Select eye and face protection specifically designed and rated for the operation.
• Never assume dark lenses provide adequate protection from welding radiation.

The required filter shade depends on the operation, electrode size, arc current, or other process-specific conditions.

Prescription Eyewear

Employees who wear prescription lenses and are exposed to eye hazards must use protection that:

• Incorporates their prescription into approved safety eyewear; or
• Can be worn over their prescription lenses without disturbing the position or proper fit of either pair.

Regular prescription glasses alone generally do not provide the protection required for occupational eye hazards.

Care and Inspection

Keep safety eyewear in good condition so it can provide the protection for which it was designed.

• Clean lenses regularly.
• Store eyewear where it will not become scratched or damaged.
• Do not use eyewear with cracked lenses or damaged frames.
• Replace excessively scratched lenses that interfere with vision.
• Do not drill, modify, or otherwise alter protective eyewear.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning, maintenance, and replacement.

Remember

Your eyesight cannot be replaced. Wear safety eyewear appropriate for the hazard and lighting conditions, and never substitute ordinary sunglasses for required occupational eye protection.