Employers are accountable for the health and safety of their employees at the workplace. OSHA’s responsibility is to promote the safety and health of working men and women in America by putting in place standards and then enforcing those standards; additionally they must provide training, outreach and education; establish partnerships and encourage ongoing improvement in workplace safety and health.
The Latest Standard References
OSHA’s new eye and face protection standards require employers to make certain that employees use eye and face protection if necessary to safeguard against moving objects, splashes, or drops of hazardous chemicals, and other risks that may cause harm to the eyes and face. On March 25, 2015, OSHA updated its eye and face protection rules for general industry, maritime, and construction employers. General industry and maritime employers were required to meet the health and safety requirements of ANSI Z87.1-2003, ANSI Z87.1-1989 (R-1998), or ANSI Z87.1-1989. These are integrated by reference to the applicable OSHA standards. Employers involved in construction were required to provide eye and face protection that were in-line with the requirements of ANSI Z87.1-1968.
OSHA suggests that eye protection for exposed employees be routinely considered for use by the following professionals:
- Carpenters
- Electricians
- Machinists
- Mechanics
- Millwrights
- Plumbers and pipefitters
- Sheet metal employees
- Tinsmiths
- Assemblers
- Sanders
- Grinding machine operators
- Sawyers
- Welders
- Laborers
- Chemical process operators
- Handlers
- Timber cutting
- Logging workers
For other job categories employers should decide whether there is a need for eye and face PPE through a risk assessment test.
Potential eye or face injurie examples:
- Dust, dirt, metal or wood chips entering the eye from activities such as chipping, grinding, sawing, hammering, the use of power tools or even strong wind forces.
- Chemical splashes from corrosive substances, hot liquids, solvents or other hazardous solutions.
- Objects swinging into the eye or face, such as tree limbs, chains, tools or ropes.
- Radiant energy from welding, harmful rays from the use of lasers or other radiant light (as well as heat, glare, sparks, splash and flying particles).
Eye Protective Gear
Employers should take into consideration the following elements while selecting the most suitable eye and face protection for employees:
- Ability to protect against reasonable workplace hazards.
- Should fit properly and be reasonably comfortable to wear.
- Should provide clear vision for unrestricted movement.
- Should be durable and cleanable.
- Should permit unrestricted operation of any other required PPE.
For more on OSHA eye and face protection rule revision, join expert speaker Sheldon Primus, in a Live Webinar on Fri, July 1, 2016. During the Webinar, Sheldon will take you through all of OSHA’s eye and face protection regulations to protect your employees from injury. After attending this session, you will be able to conduct a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) hazard assessment, at your workplace.
