Eye Protection

Why Eye Protection Matters:

Flying Debris: Sawing, drilling, grinding, and hammering all produce small particles that can easily get into your eyes, causing scratches, cuts, or embedded objects.

Dust and Particulates: Construction sites are dusty environments. Prolonged exposure to dust can irritate your eyes and lead to long-term problems.  

Chemical Splashes: Working with paints, solvents, adhesives, cleaners & disinfectants poses a risk of splashes that can cause severe burns.

Impacts: Accidental impacts from tools, materials, or other objects can cause serious eye injuries.

Types of Eye Protection:

Safety Glasses:

• • These provide basic protection against flying debris and dust.  

  • They are suitable for tasks with low to moderate impact risks.  

  • Look for safety glasses that meet ANSI Z87.1 standards for impact resistance.

Safety Goggles:

• • These provide a tighter seal around the eyes, offering better protection against dust, splashes, and fumes.  

  • They are recommended for tasks with higher impact risks or when working with chemicals.  

  • They offer protection from all sides.

Face Shields:

• • These provide full-face protection against splashes, impacts, and heat.  

  • They are often used in conjunction with safety glasses or goggles for added protection.  

  • They are great for situations that create large amounts of flying debris.

Key Considerations:

• ANSI Standards: Ensure that your eye protection meets ANSI Z87.1 standards for impact resistance.  

• Fit: Eye protection should fit comfortably and securely.

• Lens Material: Polycarbonate lenses are highly impact-resistant.  

• Maintenance: Keep your eye protection clean and free from scratches.

• Proper Selection: Choose the appropriate type of eye protection for the specific hazards present in your work environment.

• Hazard Assessment:

  • Employers are required to conduct a hazard assessment to determine if eye hazards are present in the workplace.  

  • This assessment should identify potential hazards such as flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, and injurious light radiation.  

• Provision of Protection:

  • Employers must ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to these hazards.  

  • The employer is required to provide and pay for the necessary eye protection.  

• Side Protection:

  • Eye protection must provide side protection when there is a hazard from flying objects. Detachable side protectors are acceptable if they meet the requirements.  

• Prescription Lenses:

  • Employees who wear prescription lenses must have eye protection that incorporates the prescription or can be worn over their prescription lenses.  

• Compliance with Standards:

  • Protective eye and face protection devices must comply with recognized consensus standards, such as those from ANSI/ISEA.  

• Protection Against Radiant Energy:

  • When workers are exposed to radiant energy, such as during welding, appropriate filter lenses with the correct shade number must be used.  

General Requirements:

• Hazard Assessment:

  • Employers must conduct a hazard assessment to determine if employees are exposed to hazardous materials that could cause eye injuries.  

• Provision of Eyewash Stations:

  • Where employees' eyes may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes must be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.  

• Accessibility:

  • Eyewash stations must be readily accessible and located in areas where immediate use is required.  

  • They should be located within 10 seconds or approximately 55 feet of the hazard.  

  • The path to the eyewash station must be unobstructed.  

• Suitable for Flushing:

  • The eyewash station must provide an adequate flow of flushing fluid to effectively flush both eyes simultaneously.  

  • The flushing fluid should be potable water or a preserved buffered saline solution.

• Temperature of Flushing Fluid:

  • The flushing fluid should be tepid, meaning between 60°F (15.6°C) and 100°F (37.8°C). This temperature range is comfortable and prevents further injury.  

  • Frozen flushing fluid is less than useless in an emergency, and water at temperatures over 100°F will cause burns, likely making the situation worse.

• Duration of Flushing:

  • Eyewash stations should provide a continuous flow of flushing fluid for at least 15 minutes.  

• Maintenance and Inspection:

  • Eyewash stations must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure they are in proper working order.  

  • They should be activated weekly to verify proper operation and to flush out any stagnant water.  

  • Regularly check the expiration date of preserved solutions.  

• Training:

  • Employees who may be exposed to eye hazards must be trained on the location and proper use of eyewash stations.  

Key OSHA Standard:

• 1910.151(c) - Medical services and first aid: This standard outlines the requirements for eyewash stations and other first-aid equipment.  

ANSI/ISEA Z358.1:

• While OSHA sets the regulatory requirements, the ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 standard provides detailed guidelines for the design, installation, and maintenance of emergency eyewash and shower equipment. Many employers use this standard as a best practice guide.  

Important Considerations:

• The type and location of eyewash stations should be based on the specific hazards present in the workplace.

• Proper training and regular maintenance are essential for ensuring the effectiveness of eyewash stations.  

Key Steps for Using a Personal Eyewash Station:

1. Immediate Action:

   • If you get a foreign object or irritant in your eye, act quickly.

   • Locate the personal eyewash station.

2. Preparation:

   • Check the expiration date on the bottle to ensure the solution is still sterile.

   • Remove any contact lenses as soon as possible, as they can trap contaminants.  

3. Positioning:

   • Tilt your head back or lie down.

   • Hold the bottle close to your eye, but avoid direct contact with the eye itself.

4. Flushing:

   • Squeeze the bottle to release a steady stream of saline solution into your eye.

   • Use your fingers to hold your eyelids open wide, ensuring the solution reaches all parts of your eye.  

   • Move your eye around to ensure thorough rinsing.

5. Duration:

   • Continue flushing until the irritant is gone or for as long as the bottle's contents allow.

   • Even if the initial discomfort subsides, it's essential to flush thoroughly.  

6. Disposal:

   • Personal eyewash bottles are typically single-use. Dispose of the bottle after use.  

7. Seek Medical Attention:

   • After using a personal eyewash station, especially if the irritant was a hazardous chemical or if discomfort persists, seek medical attention.  

   • A medical professional can examine your eye for any potential damage.

Important Considerations:

• Availability:

  • Keep personal eyewash stations readily available in areas where eye irritants are present.

  • They are often carried in first-aid kits or kept in individual workstations.  

• Limitations:

  • Personal eyewash stations are intended for minor irritations and immediate first aid.

  • They are not a substitute for plumbed or larger portable eyewash stations in situations involving significant chemical exposure.  

• Training:

  • Employees should be trained on the proper use of personal eyewash stations.

  • They should understand the limitations of these devices and when to seek professional medical help.

• Storage:

  • store them in a location where they will not be exposed to extreme temperatures.

  • Keep them clean, and free of damage.