Save An Eye It Maybe Your Own
August 11, 2006
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EYE PROTECTION and HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR
Eight questions to ask yourself:
Is it suitable for the hazards of the job?
Is it comfortable to wear?
Can I see clearly while wearing it?
Can I move freely while wearing it?
Can I use other kinds of PPE while wearing it?
Does it meet ANSI (or CSA) Standards?
Is it durable?
Is it easy to clean?
Answer “Yes” to all of these questions above to be assured you’re using the best eye protection available.
SAFE USE OF PROTECTIVE GLASSES
4 things to know:
What they are: Safety glasses look like regular glasses but provide greater protection because they’re:
Constructed of plastic or metal frames.
Fitted with corrective or impact-resistant lenses.
When to use them: Protect against flying objects, sparks and dust. At a minimum, must withstand impact of a quarter-inch steel ball moving 150 feet per second.
How to use them:
Use side shields if you’re at risk of side impact—preferably eye-cup type.
Use prescription or tinted lenses, if you need them.
Use goggles instead to protect against objects from above or splashes.
How to take care of them:
Inspect daily before and after each use.
Don’t use if scratched, pitted, bent, broken or improperly fitted.
Clean regularly following manufacturer’s instructions.
Store in a clean and dry place.
SAFE USE OF PROTECTIVE GOGGLES
4 things to know:
What they are: Safety goggles provide greater protection than safety glasses.
They’re:
Fitted with impact-resistant lenses.
Secured to the head by an adjustable elastic strap.
Available in different types depending on the hazard involved.
When to use them: Goggles protect the eyes, eye sockets and surrounding part of the face against dust, sparks, flying objects and splashes.
How to use them:
Use chemical splash goggles with indirect ventilation on the side to protect against spills and splashes.
Use regular ventilation goggles to protect against dust, sparks and flying particles.
Use goggles with prescription lesnses or over eyewear with prescription lenses, if necessary.
How to take care of them:
Inspect daily before and after use.
Don’t use if scratched, pitted, bent, broken or if elastic band in frayed, lacks elasticity or missing.
Clean regularly with soap and water by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Disinfect with germicide before using goggles worn by somebody else.
Store in a clean and dry place.
SAFE USE OF LASER SAFETY GOGGLES
4 things to know:
What they are: Specialty goggles that protect against intense light from lasers via tinted lenses.
When to use them: Use when working with laser equipment.
How to use them:
Your employer will sect the right type of laser safety goggles for you based on the equipment you use and operating conditions of your workplace.
Check the laser wavelength, optical density and visible light transmission marked on label before use.
If you have any questions, ask your supervisor—don’t guess.
How to take care of them:
Inspect daily before and after each use.
Disassemble and clean regularly in accordance with your employer’s instructions and manufacturer’s recommendations.
Don’t use goggles with chipped or scratched lenses.
Store in a clean and dry place.
SAFE USE OF FACE SHIELDS
4 things to know:
What they are: Transparent sheets of plastic extending from the brow to below the chin and covering the entire width of the head.
When to use them: Face shields protect the face and neck against flying dust particulars and splashes or sprays of hazardous liquids. Some are polarized to protect against glare.
How to use them:
WARNING: Face shields provide only limited protection and must be used with other kinds of protective eyewear.
Wear safety glasses or goggles under your face shield to guard against flying objects.
Wear goggles under face shields when you’re at risk of splashes from molten metals.
Wear prescription goggles or eyewear under your face shield.
How to take care of them:
Inspect daily before and after each use.
Clean regularly with soap and water following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Periodically disinfect with germicide.
Store in a clean and dry place.
SAFE USE OF WELDING SHIELDS
4 things to know:
What they are: Transparent sheets of vulcanized fiber or fiberglass covering the face and fitted with filtered lens.
When to use them: Welding shields protect against the hazard of welding, brazing, soldering and cutting.
Shields protect:
The eyes against burns from infrared or intense radiant light.
The eyes and face against sparks, metals spatter and slag chips.
How to use them:
Your employer will select the appropriate welding shield for you to use based upon the operations and intensity of light.
Wear a helmet in conjunction with shields when welding or working with molten materials.
Wear prescription goggles or eyewear under your face shield.
How to take care of them:
Inspect daily before and after each use.
Clean regularly with soap and water following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Periodically disinfect with germicide.
Store in a clean and dry place.
OTHER STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR EYES and VISION
7 “Do’s” & “Don’ts” for Work and Home:
DON’T wear sunglasses for indoor work and activities.
DO keep your eyes well away from a tool’s trajectory in case it breaks.
DON’T wipe your face or eyes with soiled hands or towels.
DO keep your eyes a safe distance from machines when doing polishing work.
DON’T look directly into containers of acids, caustics or other hazardous liquids when you open them.
DO learn the location of eyewash and lens-cleaning stations at your workplace.
DO use appropriate eyewear to protect eyes from impact, particles, liquids, mists, radiation and other hazards.
HOW TO TREAT AN EYE INJURY
First Aid Tips for 4 Common Injuries:
Chemical Burns: Flush with low-pressure water for 15 to 20 minutes, force eyelid open, flush over contact lenses to wash away, do not bandage.
Specks In Eyes: Wash out, do not rub, apply light bandage.
Blows To Eye: Apply cold compress but don’t pressure eye.
Seek medical help in case of pain, discoloration or reduced vision.
Cuts / Punctures To Eye/Eyelid: Don’t flush, don’t try to remove objects stuck in eye, cover eye with rigid shield without pressuring it—such as bottom of paper cup, seek medical attention.
