January 6, 2020 Safety Tip of the Week delivered to your inbox each Monday by GrainnetSafety.com
Protect Your Eyes and Face From Impact
The majority of eye injuries result from flying objects striking one or both eyes.
Most of these objects are smaller than a pin head. The impact often causes punctures, abrasions, and contusions.
Safety glasses with side shields or goggles should be worn when working in areas with exposure to flying objects, fragments, and particles.
A secondary device, such as a face shield, should be used in conjunction with goggles or safety glasses when exposure to severe impact hazards exists.
Safety Glasses
Safety glasses are intended to shield the wearer's eyes from impact hazards such as flying fragments, objects, large chips, and particles.
Workers are required to wear safety glasses with side shields in environments where flying objects present a hazard.
Safety Goggles
Safety goggles also are intended to shield the wearer's eyes from impact hazards such as flying fragments, objects, large chips, and particles.
Goggles surround the eyes and form a protective seal around the eye.
This prevents objects from entering under or around the goggles.
Face Shields
Face shields are intended to protect the entire face or portions of the face from impact hazards, such as flying fragments, objects, large chips, and particles.
Face shields worn alone do not protect employees from impact hazards.
Face shields should be worn in combination with safety glasses or safety goggles to provide the highest level of protection.
Also, remember to wear eye and face protection at home. Eye injuries can happen just as easily outside of work.
Source: Eye and Face Protection eTool, www.osha.gov
