Eye and face protection must be worn correctly by the worker and provided by the employer. Hear OSHA’s answers to important questions in this podcast.
There are so many workplace hazards affecting eye and face safety.
1. When do companies have to provide eye and face protection for workers?
A: Whenever eye injuries might happen at work and engineering controls or work practices don’t eliminate the risk.
2. When is eye and face protection required?
A: When there are eye or face hazards such as flying objects, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or light radiation that could cause injury. These exposures are listed in OSHA’s eye and face protection standard, 1910.133.
3. Can any eye and face protection be used?
A: No, it has to be selected on the basis of hazards such as compression, impact, penetration, heat, chemical, harmful dust, light radiation, or a combination.
4. Who certifies PPE, and how do we know it’s certified?
A: ANSI, The American National Standards Institute certifies. The certification mark is easy to read and is permanent. The mark can not block the wearer’s eyesight.
5. Is training required before employees use eye and face protection?
A: Yes, if employees are required to use it, the employer must provide training. The training has to cover all aspects needed, be easy to understand and happen at least every year. More often if necessary.
6. Why is a formal eye and face protection program needed?
A: It increases the chances of using equipment correctly. PPE works only if used right.
7. Who is in charge of the protection program?
A: A trained program administrator who knows his or her eye and face protection stuff. Only they can run the program.
8. If employees wear eyeglasses with prescription lenses, are these considered eye protection?
A: No. Eyeglasses designed for ordinary wear don’t provide the level of protection necessary to protect against workplace hazards.
The Safety Brief episode #203, Eye And Face Protection Answers From OSHA, is a service of Creative Safety Supply.
Concrete worker photo by US Army Corps Engineers / Michael J. Nevins
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