Effective eye protection begins in a safe and stable work
environment. Always make sure that tools work and safety features are in place.
It's important that your primary safety hazards are identified, so they can be
minimized with the proper safety products.
Wearing the proper eye and face protection is also vital to eye safety. The
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) certifies all eye protection by
marking the lens or frame "Z87". Make sure your personal protective equipment is
in good condition, that it fits properly and will stay in place. If you're a
supervisor, or employer, prepare for eye injuries by having an eye wash or
sterile solutions on hand in your facility.
Safety glasses are the minimum requirement in industry jobs. Use them for
general working conditions where there may be flying particles or chips. Safety
goggles will provide you with better protection than safety glasses. Goggles
should be worn for greater impact protection, chemical splash and welding light
protection.
Face shields bring you additional protection, offering the highest impact, full
face protection for spraying, chipping and hazardous chemical or bloodbourne
hazards. The curve of the face shield will direct particles or chemicals coming
from the side into your eyes, so always wear safety glasses or goggles under a
face shield. Welding shields are for higher hazard jobs, and must be marked with
a "Shade Number". They will protect your eyes even when the helmet is lifted up.
