August 30, 2002

Peter Greaney , MD
Board-Certified Occupational Physician
President, WorkCare

The most recent figures by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that there were more than 53,000 eye injuries in 2000 that involved days away from work.  The costs of these injuries continue to hit the bottom line of American businesses in terms of lost production time, medical expenses and workers' compensation. 

It is estimated that total eye injuries in the workplace cost $467 million annually.  Furthermore, these outlays don't include the "personal costs" that eye injuries have on workers.  The most sobering truth about eye injuries is that 90% of all workplace eye injuries are preventable with proper safety eyewear, according to Prevent Blindness American, a national organization.  The BLS has reported that three out of every five workers injured were not wearing eye protection at the time of injury.  You can ensure that your workers do not become part of these statistics by updating and re-assessing your eye safety protection and training program.

OSHA Requirements

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) whenever necessary to protect workers against hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants.  PPE for the eyes and face is designed to prevent or lessen the severity of injuries to workers. 

In addition to the PPE, OSHA requires a formal eye and face protection program with training requirements.  The protection program includes written procedures for specific worksite conditions.  This article provides key information, but is not an inclusive list of OSHA requirements.  For complete information on OSHA's regulations, visit their eye and face protection e-tools .

A component of OSHA's regulation requires employers to conduct a workplace hazard assessment to determine if there is a need for eye and face protection.  The hazard assessment provides employers with information needed to select appropriate PPE that will protect employees from workplace-specific hazards. Naturally, the workplace hazard assessment should be performed before assigning PPE to workers. 

Employers should use PPE in conjunction with guards, engineering controls, and sound manufacturing practices-and not rely on PPE alone to provide protection against hazards.

PPE Selection Based Upon Hazard Assessment

Selection of PPE is based upon the hazard assessment.  The hazard assessment will identify the possible types of exposure (Impact, Heat, Chemicals, Dust, Optical Radiation).  For instance, employees exposed to flying fragments, particles and sand may require different protective eyewear than those employees working with heat.  Employers may need to provide a variety of protective devices, such as safety glasses, face shields, helmets, goggles and hoods, depending on the possible hazard exposure.  Every type of eye and face protection must comply with the American National Standards Institute, ANSI Z87.1-1989 standard if the product was purchased after July 5, 1994 or, ANSI Z87.1-1968 if purchased before July 5, 1994 . [ 1910.133(b )( 1) , 1915.153(b) , 1926.102(a)(2) ]

Selecting PPE Based on Hazards

Impact Hazards

The most common eye hazards are flying particles, a hazard typical of many machine operations such as grinding, sawing, etching, and so on.  The following PPE are used for impact hazards.

• Safety glasses-- These glasses may look similar to "dress" eyewear, but have special impact-resistant frames and lenses that may or may not have transparent side shields blocking access to the outer perimeter of the eye

• Goggles --P rovide eye protection from hazards coming from above, below and the sides

• Face Shields --O ffer full frontal protection, but should only be used in conjunction with safety glasses because they don't sit close enough to the eyes to act as an adequate safeguard on their own

Heat Hazards

• Safety Glasses --Primary protectors intended to shield the eyes from a variety of heat hazards

• Goggles --Primary protectors intended to fit the face immediately surrounding the eye area to protect against a variety heat hazards

• Face Shields-- Secondary protectors intended that protect the entire face, in addition to the eyes, from certain heat hazards

Chemical Hazards

Serious and irreversible damage can occur when chemical substances contact the eyes in the form of splash, mists, vapors, or fumes. Practicing good hygiene may limit chemical exposure and its adverse effects. The employee should understand emergency procedures, containment systems, and other means of reducing contact with the chemical. The following types of PPE are suitable to protect the face/eyes from chemical exposures:

• 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

Dust Hazards

Dust is present in the workplace during operations such as woodworking and buffing. Working in a dusty environment can causes eye injuries and presents additional hazards to contact lens wearers.

• Goggles --Primary protectors intended to protect the eyes against a variety of airborne particles and harmful dust.

Radiant energy

Radiant energy can cause serious eye injuries, even if exposure occurs for a short period of time. Optical radiation may be in the form of ultraviolet, visible, or infrared light. Infrared or other intense radiant energy may cause eye injuries such as retinal burns. Prolonged exposure to glare, another form of optical radiation, can cause eyestrain and damage vision.

Wearing protection with the correct filter shade number will protect workers' eyes from optical radiation. When selecting PPE, consider the type and degree of radiant energy in the workplace

Employees Who Wear Prescriptive Lenses

Regardless of the type of eyewear/face protection used, employees who use prescriptive contact lenses or eyeglasses must also use the appropriate safety gear.  They can either wear protective goggles over their eyewear or use safety eyeglasses with corrective lenses, which can be ordered through an optical vendor.  The lenses can be made from glass, plastic or polycarbonate.  Polycarbonate lenses are the preferred choice because they are lightweight, have superior impact resistance, and provide inherent UV protection.  A coating can be applied to these lenses to make them scratch resistance as well.

Training Program Components

Employees must also be educated on the proper use of eyewear.  They must have a clear understanding of where and when to use the eyewear. 

The training component, which falls under OSHA's (Standard - 29 CFR) General requirements [ 1910.132(f) ], requires employees to learn:

• When PPE is necessary

• What PPE is necessary

• How to properly put on, remove, adjust, and wear PPE

• Limitations of the PPE

• Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the PPE

In addition to these OSHA guidelines, a thorough presentation should also cover the following learning objectives:

• General background on anatomy and function of eye

• The potential effects of eye injuries (blurred vision, corneal burn, permanent loss of sight)

• Common types and causes of eye injuries (flying particles account for large majority of accidents)

Other Training Considerations

EHS professionals should consider using motivational tools to encourage compliance.  These tools include

• Participation/input in selection of PPE equipment by affected employees.  You can positively affect compliance by allowing employees to have input on assessing PPE fit/comfort, functionality and style

• Use of more "stylish" PPE equipment-as the appearance of safety glasses or goggles can affect use
  Recognition-consider incentives, recognition or small awards to reinforce compliance

Delivery of Training Program

According to OSHA, the training should be conducted within these guidelines:

• A knowledgeable designated person should conduct training

• All required training should be presented in a manner that the employee can understand

• Each affected employee shall demonstrate an understanding of the training specified and the ability to use PPE properly, before being allowed to perform work requiring the use of PPE

• Employers who allow their employees to wear eye and face protection on a voluntary basis when not required by OSHA or the employer must implement limited provisions of a PPE program. For all other voluntary users, an additional written eye and face protection program that covers proper maintenance procedures must be implemented.

Retraining

OSHA requires retraining in cases where the employer has reason to believe that a previously trained employee does not understand the eye protection requirements or lacks the skills regarding use of PPE. Circumstances where retraining is required include, but are not limited to, situations where:

• Changes in the workplace render previous training obsolete

• Changes in the types of PPE to be used render previous training obsolete

• Inadequacies in an affected employee's knowledge or use of assigned PPE indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite understanding or skill

Written Certification

• The employer shall verify that each affected employee has received and understood the required training through a written certification that contains the name of each employee trained, the date(s) of training, and the subject of the certification.

Handling Emergencies

If an eye injury occurs, quick action can prevent a permanent disability. For this reason:

• Emergency eyewashes should be placed in all hazardous areas

• First-aid instructions should be posted close to potential danger spots

• Employees must know where the closest eyewash station is and how to get there with restricted vision

The American Medical Association has a complete fact sheet on treating eye injuries.

Summary

Eye safety protection programs have a positive impact in reducing eye injuries in the workplace.  By providing as-needed refresher courses, and assessing your current program with these guidelines, your company can continue to control eye injury related expenses, and most importantly reduce eye injuries-a benefit we can all see.