How Would You Answer These Questions About Eye Protection?

1. Prescription eyeglasses are fine for eye protection. True False

2. Safety glasses are better than nothing. True False

3. Flying debris is mostly a danger to the one who is creating it. True False

4. Contact lenses increase the risk of eye injuries. True False

5. Safety glasses or goggles provide adequate protection when working

with liquids. True False

6. Face shields are an acceptable substitute for safety glasses or goggles. True False

7. There is very little difference between types of sunglasses. They all provide

basically the same level of sun protection. True False

How did you do? You should have answered false to each of the above statements.

1. Prescription eyeglasses, by law, must be impact resistant; however, they are not shatter proof like safety glasses and do not provide adequate eye protection from flying particles. Safety eyewear designed for impact protection will have the following label noted on the eyewear: Z87.1. If it is not labeled as such, it does not meet the standard for safety eyewear.

2. Safety glasses with clear lenses and side shields are designed to provide impact protection from flying particles that may strike the eye from the front or sides. However, they do not protect the eyes from liquid splashes, dust, mists, ultraviolet radiation (from cutting torches and welding flashes), or lasers. Also, keep in mind that face shields must be worn in addition to safety glasses when there is a danger of flying particles that may strike the face and neck areas. For example, when using bench, pedestal, or hand held grinders or wire brushes.

3. Flying debris frequently injures nearby bystanders and coworkers and not necessarily the person who creates it. For example, a flying object from your work area could strike a coworker even though they are working several feet away from you. Nails can travel several feet when the hammer misses its mark and still farther when propelled by a nail gun.

4. Myths about contact lenses date back to the 1970s. Experience has proven that contact lenses do not increase the severity of eye injuries. However, remember that contact lenses do not provide any protection against impact from flying objects or liquid splashes. The eye protection requirements for those who wear contacts would be the same as for those who do not wear contacts.

5. Safety glasses and most goggles are not designed to protect the wearer from liquid splashes. Safety glasses and most safety goggles have openings around the edges, which provide an opening for liquids to enter the eyes. Chemical splash goggles have indirect venting to prevent liquids from entering around the edges of the goggles. When working with corrosive liquids and acids, a face shield must be worn in addition to the splash goggles to protect the face and neck areas from liquid splashes.

6. Face shields, as the name implies, are designed to protect the face and neck areas from flying particles and liquids. Safety glasses or goggles must also be worn with face shields because face shields do not provide eye protection against impact from particles, dust, or liquids that enter through the sides or bottom of the face shield.

7. There is no uniform standard of labeling for sunglasses. The protection they provide can vary significantly. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation; screen out 75-90 percent of visible light; are perfectly matched in color and absorption and free of distortion and imperfection; have gray (which does not modify colors), green or brown lenses. If you need safety glasses that provide sun protection, be sure they are labeled with the Z87.1.

What You Can’t See Can Hurt You

OSHA estimates that 1,000 eye injuries occur each day in American workplaces. According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 60 percent of eye injuries are caused by flying or falling objects that are smaller then a pinhead. Contact with chemicals caused about 20 percent of the eye injuries. Being struck in the eye by larger objects was the cause for the remainder of the eye injuries, i.e. nails, staples, construction debris, ropes, chains, tools, tree branches and limbs. Three (3) out of five (5) workers who sustain eye injuries were not wearing eye protection. It is important to remember that these statistics do not include numerous eye injuries that occur off the job. Many eye injuries occur in the home and during recreational and sporting activities.

When Should I Wear Eye Protection?

Anytime there is a risk of eye injury from impact by flying particles or liquid splashes. Some common situations are as follows:

Construction work such as; nailing (hammer or nail gun); stapling; using power tools (saws, grinders, chippers, jackhammers, planers, drills, wire brushes; applying drywall, plaster and stucco; demolition work; installing insulation, working with hazardous chemicals and solvents, electrical equipment and wiring installations; spray applications (paint, varnish, solvents).

Maintenance work such as; repairing, removing and installing equipment; cleaning HVAC units; electrical equipment repairs; scraping or sanding paint; power washing, changing light bulbs/tubes; replacing HVAC filters; plus all those listed under construction above, which may apply.

Landscape work; mowing, trimming, or pruning; operating chain saws; power blowers; power trimmers; mixing and applying fertilizers, pesticides or insecticides; plus all those listed above, which may apply.

Custodial work; mixing cleaning chemicals; using restroom cleaning chemicals; dusting overhead grills and equipment; power washing; changing light bulbs/tubes; cleaning and repairing custodial equipment; plus all those listed above, which may apply.

Eye protection is cheap, but YOUR EYES ARE PRICELESS.

Always wear EYE PROTECTION.

What’s wrong with using trial and error as a guide?

The final exam often comes first and then the lesson.

IF IT’S NOT SAFE, DON’T DO IT.

sOMEONE IS EXPECTING YOU HOME TODAY.

Questions about environmental, safety and health?

Anna Gillman, Environmental Specialist - Ext 3314

Elaine Campagna, Staff Assistant – Ext. 3192

Submitted 6/7/01 for Facilities Flyer