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🥽 Eye & Face Protection

Topic: Selecting and wearing the right eye and face protection for the hazard Duration: 5–8 minutes Standard: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.102 — Eye and Face Protection; ANSI Z87.1

The Stats​

  • 2,000 workers per day suffer eye injuries on the job in the U.S.
  • 90% of eye injuries are preventable with proper eye protection
  • The most common construction eye injuries: grinding particles, dust, flying debris, chemical splashes, and welding flash
  • Average cost of a workplace eye injury: $25,000–$50,000 (medical + lost time + workers' comp)
  • Three out of five workers injured were either not wearing eye protection or wearing the wrong type

The right protection for the right hazard takes 5 seconds to put on and prevents a lifetime of vision loss.

Match Protection to the Hazard​

HazardProtection RequiredExamples
Flying particles (dust, chips, fragments)Safety glasses with side shields (ANSI Z87.1)Sawing, drilling, nailing, chipping, grinding
Heavy dustSafety goggles (sealed, indirect vented)Concrete cutting, demolition, sweeping
Chemical splashChemical splash goggles (sealed, non-vented or indirect vented)Acid etching, concrete form release, cleaning solvents
Grinding / cuttingFace shield over safety glassesGrinding metal, cutting with abrasive wheels
Welding (arc)Welding helmet with proper shade lensArc welding (shade 10–13 depending on process)
Welding (gas)Welding goggles with proper shade lensOxy-fuel cutting (shade 3–5), brazing (shade 3–4)
LaserLaser-specific safety glasses (matched to wavelength)Laser levels, laser scanning
Molten metal splashFace shield + safety glasses + splash gogglesPouring, foundry work
Overhead workSafety glasses with side shields + brimWorking under overhead activity
Face Shields Are NOT Standalone Protection

A face shield protects your face, but it is not eye protection by itself. Always wear safety glasses or goggles under the face shield.

ANSI Z87.1 — What the Markings Mean​

Your safety glasses must be marked ANSI Z87.1 on the lens and frame to meet OSHA requirements.

Lens Markings​

MarkingMeaning
Z87Meets basic impact requirements
Z87+Meets high-impact requirements (recommended for construction)
W followed by shade numberWelding filter (e.g., W5 = shade 5)
U followed by numberUV filter scale
L followed by numberVisible light filter
Manufacturer logoIdentifies the maker

Frame Markings​

MarkingMeaning
Z87Basic impact frame
Z87-2Prescription safety frame
Z87+High-impact frame

For construction, always choose Z87+ (high impact) rated eyewear.

Proper Fit and Wear​

  • Side shields are required on all construction safety glasses (not optional)
  • Glasses should fit snugly against your face — no gaps where debris can enter
  • Prescription workers: Get prescription safety glasses (Z87-2 rated) or wear goggles/over-glasses that fit over your prescription glasses
  • Anti-fog coating is highly recommended — fogged glasses get removed, and unprotected eyes get injured
  • Clean lenses regularly — scratched or dirty lenses reduce visibility and cause workers to remove them

Inspection — Before Each Use​

  • Lenses not scratched, cracked, or pitted (replace if so — scratched lenses are weaker)
  • Frames not bent, cracked, or loose
  • Side shields attached and not damaged
  • ANSI Z87.1 markings visible on lens and frame
  • Fit is snug with no gaps
  • Lenses clean (carry a cleaning cloth)

Eye Injuries — What to Do​

Chemical Splash​

  1. Flush immediately with clean water for at least 15 minutes
  2. Hold eyelids open during flushing
  3. Remove contact lenses if worn
  4. Get to an eye wash station or use a portable eye wash bottle
  5. Seek medical attention — bring the SDS for the chemical

Foreign Object in Eye​

  1. Do NOT rub your eye — this pushes the object deeper
  2. Blink rapidly — tears may flush it out
  3. If visible, try to flush with clean water or eye wash
  4. If embedded or you can't remove it — cover both eyes (to prevent movement) and seek medical attention

Welding Flash (Arc Eye / Flash Burn)​

  1. Symptoms appear 6–12 hours after exposure: burning, tearing, light sensitivity, gritty feeling
  2. Do NOT rub eyes
  3. Apply cold compress
  4. Seek medical attention — prescription drops may be needed
  5. Prevention: Never look at an arc, even briefly. Use proper shade lens. Use welding screens to protect nearby workers.

Know where the nearest eye wash station is before you start work.

What NOT To Do​

❌ Never work without eye protection where flying particles, dust, or chemicals are present ❌ Never use scratched or damaged safety glasses — replace them ❌ Never wear tinted lenses indoors or in low light (can't see hazards) ❌ Never assume regular prescription glasses are safety glasses (they're not Z87.1 rated) ❌ Never look at a welding arc without the proper shade — even for "just a second" (a 1-second exposure can cause flash burn) ❌ Never remove eye protection to wipe sweat — step away from the hazard first ❌ Never use compressed air to clean off your face or eyes

Discussion Questions​

  1. What eye hazards exist in the work we're doing today?
  2. Is everyone wearing the right type of protection for today's tasks?
  3. Where is the nearest eye wash station from where we're working?
  4. Has anyone ever gotten something in their eye on a jobsite? What happened?
  5. Check your safety glasses right now — are the lenses scratched? Do they fit?

Today's Commitment​

"I will wear the right eye protection for the task, keep a spare pair on site, and know where the eye wash station is."

Sign-In​

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