Eye & Face Protection
Date Posted: 04/24/2023
Your eyes are vital for experiencing the fullness of life. Losing the capability to see is not worth the risk of taking shortcuts in your work for any reason. According to OSHA, thousands of people are blinded each year from work-related eye injuries that could have been prevented with the proper selection and use of eye and face protection. Additionally, there are approximately 2,000 work-related eye injuries each day, with the construction industry being affected the most of any other industry. When sorted into common construction trades, electricians, plumbers, and pipefitters are statistically at elevated risk!
Eye and Face Risk Factors
Many potential construction-related activities may create hazards to the eyes and face that necessitate appropriate protection. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), most work-related eye injuries result from “small particles striking the eye.” Everyday construction tasks where small particles are likely created and may become projectiles include, but are not limited to, the following:
Jackhammering
Chiseling
Drilling
Grinding
Fastening
Cutting
Powder-actuated tools
Eye and Face Hazards
Striking or Scraping
Most eye injuries result from small particles or objects striking or scraping the eye, such as dust, cement chips, metal slivers, and wood chips. These materials are often ejected by tools, windblown, or fall from above a worker. However, large objects may also strike the eye or face, or a worker may run into an object causing blunt-force trauma to the eyeball, eye socket, or another part of the face.
Penetration
Objects like nails, staples, or slivers of wood or metal can go through the eyeball and permanently cause vision loss.
Chemical or Thermal Burns
Industrial chemicals or cleaning products are common causes of chemical burns to one or both eyes. However, thermal burns to the eye also occur, often among welders. These burns, called flash burns, can damage workers’ eyes and surrounding tissue. A flash burn occurs when you are exposed to bright ultraviolet (UV) light. All types of UV light can cause it, but welding torches are the most common source. That’s why it’s sometimes called ‘welder’s flash’ or ‘flash burn.’
Methods of Hazard Control to Protect Your Eyes & Face
Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, goggles, helmets, and face shields to protect yourself from the hazards of flying fragments, large chips, hot sparks, and splashes, as well as objects, particles, sand, dirt, mists, dusts, and glare.
The type of eye or face protection required depends on the hazard. Wear the right eye and face protection and match the protection to the hazards of the job. Selecting the most suitable eye and face protection should take into consideration the following elements:
Ability to protect against specific workplace hazards.
Should fit properly and be reasonably comfortable to wear.
Should provide unrestricted vision and movement.
Should be durable and cleanable.
Should allow unrestricted functioning of any other required PPE.
Common Types of Eye & Face Protection
Safety Glasses
Safety glasses have safety-rated frames constructed of metal or plastic and impact-resistant lenses. Side protection is required, and they must comply with the ANSI Z87.1 standard.
Face Shields
Face Shields extend from the eyebrows to below the chin and protect against flying debris, splashes, or sprays from hazardous liquids. Face shields must also be worn in conjunction with safety glasses.
Chemical Goggles
Chemical goggles are tight-fitting eye protection that protects the eyes from chemical splashes, impact, and dust.
Welding Shields
Welding shields are typically made of fiberglass or vulcanized fibers with a filtered lens to protect the eyes from burns caused by infrared or intense radiant light. In addition, these shields protect the eyes and face from flying sparks or debris (metal splatter, slag chips, and other debris produced during welding, cutting brazing, or soldering operations.
Note: Protective eye and face protection must comply with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard Z87.1 – 1989, 1998, or the 2003 version.
