Protect Employees From Eye Hazards

Policies and procedures need to be written toshould be returned.
outline the hazards relating to eye protection. AllProcedures in with eye protection concerns can
employees and visitors entering an area or arebe written to include the following:
performing a function which may expose them toProcedure 1: All persons shall wear properly fitted
hazards such as flying particles, hazardousfederal approved, or equivalent, goggles, force
substances, and harmful light or other rays ofshields or other approved eye protection when
radiation, must wear eye protection.engaged in work where there may be a hazard
Different forms of eye protection protect thefrom any materials that may injure or irritate the
eyes from a specific hazard. Recommendations aseyes.
to the type of eye protection required in aProcedure 2: All sources of intense heat or
specific area should be identified.infra-red radiation shall be shielded as near the
1) Spectacle-type safety glasses should besource as possible, by heat absorbing screens,
provided to persons requiring frontal protection.water screens, or other suitable devices to
Frames and lenses of the spectacle-type safetyprevent such radiation entering the eyes of
glasses should meet federal standards.employees not wearing goggles or eye shields.
2) Safety goggles should be provided to personsProcedure 3: Where any person is exposed to
requiring a full seal-tight protection around theemissions of ultraviolet radiation between 180 nm
eyes.and 400 nm UV absorbing goggles, spectacles or
3) Face shields should be provided to personsface shields shall be worn and the exposure to
requiring eye and face protection against splashingthe person shall not exceed the threshold limit
acids, hot liquids, or even flames.value for UV radiation.
4) Filter lenses should be provided to personsProcedure 4: Where deemed necessary by an
requiring protection against harmful light and otherOfficer of the company, or where prescribed
rays of radiation such as the arc of welding.under the Regulations, approved safety glasses or
5) Temporary eye shields will be provided togoggles shall be worn.
persons visiting a designated eye protection area.By introducing these simple precautions into the
All safety glasses, goggles, or face shields shouldworkplace, all employees and visitors will be safe
be provided by the employer.from eye injuries. Another piece of equipment to
Appropriate eye protection should be provided forconsider is an eye washing station. This can be
use of personnel involved in eye hazard areas.located near the most prone area for eye injury
These should be issued to employees and visitorsin the workplace.
and recorded. For visitors the safety glasses