On a daily basis about 2,000 employees require medical treatment for eye injuries. Selecting eye protection used to be fairly simple, mainly because there were so few options available. Not anymore.
Every year eye injuries in the workplace cost employees part or all of their vision, and businesses an estimated $300 million in lost production time, medical expenses and employees’ compensation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the top contributing factor to eye injuries is not wearing appropriate eye protection.
Fortunately, there are many options available to protect employees from eye injuries, however, choosing the right protection, can be tricky. Below are a few tips to help you navigate through the many options and some important factors to consider.
OSHA Requirements (29 CFR 1910.133)
If eye hazards exist in the workplace, OSHA requires that employees be trained and use proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
Companies are obligated to provide PPE (eye protection) to employees at no cost if the PPE is required to perform their job safely with the exception of prescription safety glasses, as long as employees are permitted to wear them off the job. However, most companies choose to cover the cost even if employees wear their prescription safety glasses off the job. Most experts would agree that it’s a good investment.
Product Standards
Eye protection falls under the ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye Protection Devices. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved the 2010 version of Z87.1 in April of 2010.
Because OSHA allows companies to use PPE that meets any of the previous three versions of the eye standard, you do not need to replace your eye protection right away. As long as the PPE you’re using meets the ANSI Z87.1-1989, ANSI Z87.1-2003 or ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010 standard, you’re compliant with OSHA regulations.
The ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010 standard has some important changes to note. Most significantly, in relation to the product selection process, the 2010 standard represents a complete revamp of the product markings to more clearly indicate the performance capabilities of a product, making it easier to choose the right eye protection for the job.
In addition, splash, dust, and fine dust tests have been added in the 2010 standard to qualify eye protection’s ability to guard against these hazards. New markings have been introduced that manufacturers can use to identify products, such as splash and dust goggles, that comply with the new requirements.
Also, the “Basic Impact” and “High Impact” designations have been eliminated. Under ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010, eye protection is now either impact-rated or it is not. Lastly, under the new Z87 standard, all impact-rated eye protection must be sold with side protection (permanent or detachable).
Prescription Wearers
Employees who require corrective lenses need to have the same level of protection as their co-employees. Companies essentially have three (3) options for meeting OSHA requirements for prescription wearers who are exposed to eye hazards. These employees can: 1) wear over-the-glass safety glasses that fits over regular prescription glasses, 2) wear a face shield, or 3) wear prescription safety glasses that meet ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 requirements. Note that attaching side shields to regular prescription glasses does not comply with OSHA requirements.
Occupation-Specific Hazards
Some occupations expose employees to eye hazards that are specific to that type of job. Statistics show that mechanics, repairers, carpenters and plumbers report 40 percent of eye injuries. Manufacturing accounted for nearly half of eye injuries, while construction-related jobs accounted for about 20 percent. In almost every case, there are specialized eye protection available that will provide the proper protection.
One of the most common sources of eye injuries in the workplace is airborne dust and debris, causing about 70 percent of incidents annually. Small dust particles or metal chips, for example, can go around or under the eye protection injury.
The most serious eye injuries are caused by flying debris that has been accelerated mechanically, such as in grinding and cutting applications. These injuries warrant special attention to the impact hazard and may require impact-rated goggles that form a snug fit, as well as the addition of a suitable face shield.
Airborne debris often causes eye injuries in windy environments, where surface dust and particles are blown into the air or fall from above. Dust also can be generated from operations such as sanding. A growing trend is foam-lined products that help prevent airborne debris from reaching the eye. These offer a more comfortable alternative to goggles, resulting in better protection and compliance. An important criteria for foam-lined eyewear is an effective anti-fog lens coating and good venting, since body heat and moisture can cause fogging, even in mild conditions. Fit, in this situation, is critical as well, since the foam must be in contact with the face in order to perform its function.
Utility employees also require special consideration. Since they tend to spend most of their time outdoors, tinted lenses are a must. But utility employees also need to correctly identify color-coded wires, so the lens tint cannot affect color recognition. Tinted safety eyewear that meets the ANSI Z80.3-2008 requirement for color recognition will address this issue.
Employees exposed to infrared radiation that can cause lasting or permanent damage to vision must be accommodated. Infrared (IR) is perceptible in the form of heat, but is invisible to the unaided eye. Long-term exposure on a daily basis or even short-term, high-intensity exposure can cause retinal scarring, cataracts or blindness. Welding is the most well known source of IR, however, employees working near welding operations may need protection from secondary exposure. Steel or glass making also are occupations which commonly expos employees to potentially harmful levels of IR. Any operation that involves intense heat can pose a risk. Torch cutting and brazing, as well as furnace and heat curing operations, present significant IR hazards. 29 CFR 1910.133(a)(5) lists shade numbers to be used for various operations. Be sure to select eyewear that is marked with a shade number, according to ANSI/ISEA Z87.1, and don’t confuse a tinted lens with a shaded lens.
Compatibility
Hard hats, respirators, face shields, hearing protection, protective eyewear, and other PPE can all interfere with each other if they aren’t chosen carefully. Therefore, when selecting eye protection, also consider the other types of PPE the employee will be wearing.
For instance, wearing a half-face respirator may cause protective eyewear to sit higher on the nose, thereby creating a gap between the wearer’s cheek and the lens. In this case, try selecting a half-face respirator that fits low on the face or try different styles of eyewear until you find one that isn’t affected by the respirator.
Choose The Right Partner
Globalization has brought a host of new suppliers to the eye protection market over the last 10 to 15 years. Companies and employees alike have benefited from the increased level of competition. Unfortunately, this also has resulted in some products making their way into the market that don’t meet industry standards, even though the manufacturer claims that they do. These products may have the right markings, such as the “Z87” stamp, but may never have been tested to verify their compliance with the ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 standard.
This makes it especially important that you choose a reputable supplier, since the Z87.1 standard is self-certifying, meaning it’s up to the manufacturer of the product to ensure that their products meet the standard. Manufacturers are required by the Z87.1 standard to provide, upon request, test results showing compliance with the standard, so don’t hesitate to ask for it.
Another important factor is the level of expertise your supplier has relative to eye protection. It’s one thing to give you the lowest price, but the real value that a supplier brings is in helping you choose the best option to protect your employees, keeping you updated on the latest regulatory changes and developing new products that address ever-changing workplace hazards. In the end, the cheapest option isn’t always the best when you consider the safety of your employees and the cost of an eye injury.
Total Environmental & Safety, LLC can assist you in the selection of all your PPE needs. In addition, we can assist in completing required PPE Hazard Assessments, developing and implementing an overall PPE program, and conducting employee training.