Protect Employees From Eye Hazards

Policies and procedures need to be written to outline the hazards relating to eye protection. All employees and visitors entering an area or are performing a function which may expose them to hazards such as flying particles, hazardous substances, and harmful light or other rays of radiation, must wear eye protection.

Different forms of eye protection protect the eyes from a specific hazard. Recommendations as to the type of eye protection required in a specific area should be identified.

1) Spectacle-type safety glasses should be provided to persons requiring frontal protection. Frames and lenses of the spectacle-type safety glasses should meet federal standards.
2) Safety goggles should be provided to persons requiring a full seal-tight protection around the eyes.
3) Face shields should be provided to persons requiring eye and face protection against splashing acids, hot liquids, or even flames.
4) Filter lenses should be provided to persons requiring protection against harmful light and other rays of radiation such as the arc of welding.
5) Temporary eye shields will be provided to persons visiting a designated eye protection area.

All safety glasses, goggles, or face shields should be provided by the employer.  Prescription safety glasses and goggles are also available.
Appropriate eye protection should be provided for use of personnel involved in eye hazard areas. These should be issued to employees and visitors and recorded. For visitors the safety glasses should be returned.

Procedures in with eye protection concerns can be written to include the following:

Procedure 1: All persons shall wear properly fitted federal approved, or equivalent, goggles, force shields or other approved eye protection when engaged in work where there may be a hazard from any materials that may injure or irritate the eyes.
Procedure 2: All sources of intense heat or infra-red radiation shall be shielded as near the source as possible, by heat absorbing screens, water screens, or other suitable devices to prevent such radiation entering the eyes of employees not wearing goggles or eye shields.
Procedure 3: Where any person is exposed to emissions of ultraviolet radiation between 180 nm and 400 nm UV absorbing goggles, spectacles or face shields shall be worn and the exposure to the person shall not exceed the threshold limit value for UV radiation.
Procedure 4: Where deemed necessary by an Officer of the company, or where prescribed under the Regulations, approved safety glasses or goggles shall be worn.

By introducing these simple precautions into the workplace, all employees and visitors will be safe from eye injuries. Another piece of equipment to consider is an eye washing station. This can be located near the most prone area for eye injury in the workplace.