| It is an employers responsibility to provide | | | | eyes. As such, they don't provide protection |
| employees with personal protective equipment | | | | against dusts and gases. |
| (PPE) in accordance with CoSHH regulation. | | | | Some examples of CoSHH hazards requiring the |
| According to the HSE Regulations PPE is defined | | | | use of eye and face protection: |
| as 'all equipment which is intended to be worn or | | | | -Splashes from chemicals as a result of contact |
| held by a person at work and which protects him | | | | with certain substances |
| against one or more risks to health or safety' for | | | | -Working with tools which generate dust or debris |
| example,gloves,safety helmets,eye protection,high | | | | that could fly into the face |
| visibility clothing and safety footwear. This article | | | | -Mist from machines using gas or vapour under |
| specifically looks at PPE and eye and face | | | | pressure or high-pressure cleaning machines |
| protection. | | | | -Intense heat or light and radiation from lasers or |
| There are three alternative types of eye and | | | | from welding and ovens |
| face protection. | | | | Maintenance of the eye and face protection: |
| These are: | | | | The eye/face protection must fit the user and |
| Safety spectacles - May look like separate lenses | | | | not fall off easily. Safety glasses and goggles |
| in a frame (similar to prescription glasses) or may | | | | should be issued on a personal basis. |
| be worn over ordinary spectacles (Eye shields). | | | | Do not use when the lenses are dirty or |
| These are suitable for workshop or laboratory | | | | scratched as this will impair vision leading to eye |
| use for protection against light chemical splashes. | | | | strain and possible accidents. |
| Goggles - These have a flexible plastic frame with | | | | Before the lenses are issued to another user they |
| an elastic headband. They give complete | | | | should be wet cleaned and stored in a protective |
| protection to the eyes and the rim is flush to the | | | | case. |
| face. Some goggles are vented but are not | | | | Bear in mind misting/fogging of the lenses. An |
| recommended in case of dangerous chemical | | | | alternative option to consider is anti-mist and |
| splash or protection against gases and fine dusts. | | | | ventilated eye protection. |
| Vented goggles are an alternative option but are | | | | Replace face shields should they become worn |
| prone to misting up. | | | | and replace them. |
| Face shields - They have a single large lens with a | | | | The above guide falls in line with CoSHH |
| frame and modifiable head harness or are fixed | | | | procedure which protects employees from health |
| to a helmet. They protect the whole face as well | | | | and safety risks at work. |
| as the eyes although they do not fully enclose the | | | | |