Despite the strong focus on improving occupational safety, workplace accidents still happen regularly. Often, injury victims wear protection, but use it incorrectly or choose insufficient or inappropriate protective gear. Eyewear and face protection may be job or hazard specific. Knowing how to wear the right protection contributes directly to the safety of the user.
In some environments, you might even choose to wear both eye and face protection to better protect yourself. The diversity of ways foreign matter enters the eyes and the dangers posed by chemicals or light radiation mandate proper and total eye protection.
Four Main Types of Protection
Eye and face protection come in four basic categories, each with its own protection level and limitations. Safety officials typically categorize these items as primary or secondary protectors.
Safety glasses (or spectacles) are primary protectors.
Goggles are also classified as primary protectors.
Face shields, secondary protectors, should be worn with either glasses or goggles.
Welding helmets should also be used in conjunction with safety glasses or goggles, as secondary protection.
There are a variety of face protectors and helmets that address specific hazards and risks. Just as goggles may provide additional protection when compared to some safety glasses, face shields and helmets offer increased safety to the face and eyes above the level of eye protection alone.
Electricians Face Some Expanded Hazards
Along with the common risks associated with chipping, grinding, sawing, drilling and chiseling, many electricians face dangers of sparking, arcing, burning, shrapnel and flash fires when they’re on the job. In the U.S., electricians should reference the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA standard 70E to learn of the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) they should use. The U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) also publishes standards for eye and face protection and offers detailed information about such protection.
The Electrical Workers Safety Handbook also offers practical information on how electricians should protect their eyes and face. Along with facing diverse hazards, electricians often face the additional challenge of working in confined workspaces. This condition heightens the risk of material or events that could be damaging to the eyes and face.
Protecting Your Eyes and Face
Safety glasses offer good protection from impact or shrapnel hazards. These are required in all situations, particularly when drilling or grinding into metal. Safety goggles add protection against airborne hazards such as metal shavings, dust and chemical back splashes. Wearing safety glasses and a full face shield offers further protection, providing two layers of safety.
For those who were prescription eyewear, safety glasses and goggles are still necessary. Most eyeglasses aren’t designed to protect vital eyes from hazards. Using quality safety glasses or goggles won’t impede your vision and it will give you the protection you need. Only use certified eye and face protection to achieve maximum safety.
Always adjust eye protectors for a tight fit, as airborne hazards can penetrate unsealed areas. Keep protective eyewear and face shields clean per their instructions to avoid blind spots and distortions. When not in use, store your protective eye and face devices safely to avoid damage, while keeping them close at hand.img source