The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that roughly 20,000 eye injuries occur daily in the United States. These types of injuries can, in many cases, be prevented with adequate PPE and proper precautions. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) sets requirements for eye and face protection in work and industrial settings.
OSHA mandates that employers ensure the health and safety of their employees through training and provision of PPE to protect against a wide variety of hazards. We are going to look at what OSHA standards for general industry, maritime, and construction say about required eye and face protection.
ANSI Z87
All eye and face protection must meet the ANSI Z87 standard from the American National Standards Institute. This standard requires and details impact resistance, optical clarity, coverage, comfort, durability, disinfectability, and prescription eyewear. Markings that must be included on eyewear and Facial PPE include the ANSI Z87 standard marking (or equivalent), and indications of splash (D3), dust (D4), or fine dust (D5) protection, as well as markings to reflect levels of optical radiation protection.
OSHA Standards for General Industry, Maritime, and Construction
Eye and facial protection standards are outlined in detail for General Industry, Maritime, and Construction by OSHA. PPE is discussed in 1910 Subpart 1 of OSHA’s General Industry Standard (29 CFR 1910). PPE is discussed in 1915 Subpart 1 of OSHA’s Maritime Standard (29 CFR 1915, 1917, 1918). PPE is discussed in 1926 Subpart E of OSHA’s Construction Industry Standard (29 CFR 1926).
In general, all three standards state that employers must ensure employees use adequate, ANSI or equivalent standard face and/or eye protection when exposed to flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation. Welding requires more precise measurement of PPE thickness and opacity according to work and brightness levels, according to charts listed in the standard.
TAKE CARE…BE AWARE!
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