Adapted from OSHA Requirements for PPE Selection

Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the eyes and face is designed to prevent or lessen the severity of injuries to workers. The employer must assess the workplace and determine if hazards that necessitate the use of eye and face protection are present or are likely to be present before assigning PPE to workers.

A hazard assessment should determine the risk of exposure to eye and face hazards, including those that may be encountered in an emergency. Employers should be aware of the possibility of multiple and simultaneous hazard exposures and be prepared to protect against the highest level of each hazard.

Each site should perform a hazard assessment on perils that employees may come into contact with each day. After determining the hazards that exist, the proper eye protection can be selected and each employee supplied with the proper safety wear to minimize, or eliminate, the threat of injury. Here are some common hazards and safety eyewear that should be used for them:

Impact is typically caused by flying objects such as large chips, fragments, particles, sand, and dirt. Tasks associated with impact hazards include chipping, grinding, machining, masonry work, woodworking, sawing, drilling, chiseling, powered fastening, riveting, and sanding.

The majority of impact injuries result from flying or falling objects, or sparks striking the eye. Most of these objects are smaller than a pin head and can cause serious injury such as punctures, abrasions, and contusions.

While working in a hazardous area where the worker is exposed to flying objects, fragments, and particles, primary protective devices such as safety spectacles with side shields or goggles must be worn. Secondary protective devices such as face shields are required in conjunction with primary protective devices during severe exposure to impact hazards.

The following eye protection should be used when dealing with an impact hazard:

Spectacles: Safety spectacles are intended to shield the wearer's eyes from impact hazards such as flying fragments, objects, large chips, and particles. Workers are required to use eye safety spectacles with side shields when there is a hazard from flying objects. Non-side-shield spectacles are not acceptable eye protection for impact hazards. The frames of safety spectacles are constructed of metal and/or plastic and can be fitted with either corrective or plano impact-resistant lenses. Side shields may be incorporated into the frames of safety spectacles when needed. Consider each component of safety spectacles when selecting the appropriate device for your workplace.

Goggles: Safety goggles are designed to shield the wearer's eyes from impact hazards such as flying fragments, objects, large chips, and particles. Goggles fit the face immediately surrounding the eyes and form a protective seal around the eyes. This prevents objects from entering under or around the goggles. Safety goggles may incorporate prescription lenses mounted behind protective lenses for individuals requiring vision correction. Take time to consider specific lens, frame, and ventilation options when selecting safety goggles.

Face Shields: Face shields are intended to protect the entire face or portions of it from impact hazards such as flying fragments, objects, large chips, and particles. When worn alone, face shields do not protect employees from impact hazards. Use face shields in combination with safety spectacles or goggles, even in the absence of dust or potential splashes, for additional protection beyond that offered by spectacles or goggles alone. Face shield windows are made with different transparent materials and in varying degrees, or levels, of thickness. These levels should correspond with specific tasks. Window and headgear devices are available in various combinations to enable the worker to select the appropriate equipment.

Anything that emits extreme heat including tasks related to furnace operations, pouring, casting, hot dripping, and welding can create a heat hazard.

With these hazards, heat injuries may occur to the eye and face when workers are exposed to high temperatures, splashes of molten metal, or hot sparks. Protect eyes from heat when workplace operations involve pouring, casting, hot dipping, furnace operations, and similar activities. Burns to eye and face tissue are the main concern. Working with heat hazards requires eye protection such as goggles or safety spectacles with special-purpose lenses and side shields. However, many heat hazard exposures require the use of a face shield in addition to safety spectacles or goggles. When selecting PPE, consider the source and intensity of the heat and the type of splashes that may occur in the workplace.

Considerations for eye protection of heat hazards include:

Spectacles and Goggles: Both are primary protectors intended to shield the eyes from a variety of heat hazards.

Face Shields: These are secondary protectors intended to protect the entire face from a variety of heat hazards.

Chemical hazards arise when individuals are exposed to chemicals due to splashing, fumes, vapors, or irritating mists. Occupations dealing with acid and chemical handling, degreasing, plating, and blood work are potentially at risk for chemical-related injuries.

A large percentage of eye injuries is caused by direct contact with chemicals. These injuries often result from an inappropriate choice of PPE that allows a chemical substance to enter from around or under protective eye equipment. Serious and irreversible damage can occur when chemical substances contact the eyes in the form of splash, mists, vapors, or fumes.

When working with or around chemicals, it is important to know the location of emergency eyewash stations and how to access them with restricted vision. When fitted and worn correctly, goggles protect eyes from hazardous substances. A face shield may be required in areas where workers are exposed to severe chemical hazards.

Those working with chemical hazards should consider the following eye protection:

Goggles: Primary protectors intended to shield the eyes against liquid or chemical splash, irritating mists, vapors, and fumes.

Face Shields: Secondary protectors intended to protect the entire face against exposure to chemical hazards.

Harmful dust can pose an extreme hazard to employees. Dust is present during operations such as woodworking and buffing. Working in a dusty environment can cause eye injuries and presents additional hazards to contact lens wearers. Either eyecup or cover-type safety goggles should be worn when dust is present. Safety goggles are the only effective type of eye protection from nuisance dust because they create a protective seal around the eyes.

The following eye protection should be considered by those taking part in woodworking, buffing, and other generally dusty occupations:

Goggles: Safety goggles are intended to protect the eyes against a variety of airborne particles and harmful dust.

Radiant energy, glare, and intense light are all causes of optical radiation hazards. Those at risk for injury include welders, torch-cutters, and individuals brazing, soldering, and using lasers.

Laser work and similar operations create intense concentrations of heat, ultraviolet, infrared, and reflected light radiation. A laser beam, of sufficient power, can produce intensities greater than those experienced when looking directly at the sun. Unprotected laser exposure may result in eye injuries including retinal burns, cataracts, and permanent blindness. When lasers produce invisible ultraviolet, or other radiation, both employees and visitors should use appropriate eye protection at all times. Determine the maximum power density, or intensity, lasers produce when workers are exposed to laser beams. Based on this knowledge, select lenses that protect against the maximum intensity. The selection of laser protection should depend upon the lasers in use and the operating conditions. Workers with exposure to laser beams must be furnished suitable laser protection.

When working with potential sources of optical radiation, employees should take the following into consideration when choosing the appropriate eye protection:

Lens requirements: When selecting filter lenses, begin with a shade too dark to see the welding zone. Then try lighter shades until one allows a sufficient view of the welding zone without going below the minimum protective shade.

Glare protection: Control glare with special-purpose spectacles that include filter or special-purpose lenses to provide protection against eye strain, changes in your work area or lighting, and tinted eyeglass lenses or visor-type shades.

Find additional information on eye protection for the workplace at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/eyeandface/ppe/selection.html