SECTION 13. EYE & FACE PROTECTION

13.1 GENERAL

The eyes can be exposed to a variety of hazards, such as flying objects (from hand tools or other equipment), small particles (grinding wheels), dusts, splashes of corrosive liquids or metals, injurious lights or heat rays, and poisonous gas fumes. The eye has limited natural defenses against the intrusion of foreign matter. The defenses can only be increased by the use of protective equipment, such as eyeglasses, face shield, or goggles. All must meet ANSI Z87.1 specifications.

Protective eye and face equipment must be worn where there is a reasonable probability of injury.

Persons who wear corrective eyeglasses can wear mono-goggles over the corrective glasses or safety over glasses. Complete eye protection on certain jobs, such as machining operations, call for the use of side shields on safety glasses. Without the side shield, safety glasses can only provide frontal protection. Sparks and flying objects from the sides can be stopped with side shields. When working overhead goggles should be used in-lieu of safety classes.

Safety lenses are made of either tempered glass or optical quality plastic. Plastics are more impact resistant than glass. Although many employees now have a safety-type lens for ordinary street wear, these are inadequate for certain hazardous exposures.

Contact lens wearers need to wear eye protection in addition to the contact lenses. Contact lenses do not protect the portion of the cornea they cover. In the event of foreign bodies or chemicals in the eye, liquids and even dusts will work their way behind the lens.

Face-shields are considered secondary protection only and are not a replacement fro primary safety glasses/goggles.

13.2 RESPONSIBILITY

Employees are responsible for ensuring they and visitors are provided with and are using approved eye and face protection in all areas and on all job assignments where required.

13.3 REQUIREMENTS

Safety glasses are required to be worn under the following conditions:

- machining operations;
- soldering;
- work with compressed air;
- operations requiring hand power tools.

Chemical mono-goggles are required to be worn under the following conditions:

- spraying operations involving chemicals, including use of aerosols;- cleaning operations involving chemicals, including brushing, sonic cleaning, degreasers, etc.;
- transferring any chemical from one container to another;
- mixing of chemicals.
- overhead machining or other activity involving the possibility of loose material falling.

NOTE: the above requirements are for non-corrosive-type chemical operations only.

Full-face shields are required to be worn under the following conditions:

- transfer or mixing any amount of corrosive or highly hazardous materials;
- transfer or mixing large quantities of flammable or combustible materials;
- work with hot liquids, molten metals, or cryogenics;
- grinding.

NOTE: full face shields must be worn in conjunction with chemical mono-goggles when handling chemicals which present a skin hazard.

Welding, cutting and/or burning operations present special eye protection hazards. For the various filter lens shades refer to Section 24 titled “Welding, Cutting and Brazing”.

Employees who work with laser equipment may require eye protection. Laser goggles or spectacles must be matched to the specific wavelengths or laser radiation. Due to the variety of laser wavelengths and energies, the Site Safety Officer should be contacted to assist with evaluating each operation and recommending the appropriate lenses for eye protection.

Glasses with tinted (filter or absorptive) lenses are recommended when employees are exposed to glare and harmful radiation from the sun during outdoor operations. Photochromic lenses are not desirable for this purpose.

OSHA regulations require no sharing of personal protective equipment unless a means of thoroughly sanitizing such equipment can be ensured after each use. This includes visitor spectacles, safety glasses, mono-goggles, and respirators. Safety glasses will be provided on an individual basis.

Safety glasses with UV protection will be provided on an individual basis for employees working outside during daylight conditions.

APO shall reimburse employees for 50% up to $200.00 for prescription safety glasses. Reimbursement shall be available every two years for one pair of safety glasses with side shields. Employees desiring two pair, one indoor and one outdoor may request reimbursement with approval of their supervisor. A demonstrated need is required. Employees that damage their safety glasses on the job through no negligence of their own may request replacement cost reimbursement per the above guidelines at any time with the approval of their supervisor.