Avoiding workplace eye hazards

Steer clear of these workplace eye hazards

Use machine guarding, work screens or other engineering controls to protect your eyes from hazards such as:

• Flying shards of metal or glass;
• Tools that slip or malfunction;
• Particles such as wood splinters, metal shavings or crystalline silica;
• Spattered chemicals;
• Any combination of these or other hazards.

Choose the best protective eyewear for your profession

Shield your eyes in areas where there is the slightest chance of eye injury. Anyone passing through those areas should also wear protection. This is particularly true for welders, who face a high risk of on-the-job eye injury.

The eyewear you need depends on the hazards you face. Wear:

• Safety glasses with side protection (side shields) if you work around particles, flying objects or dust;
• Goggles if you handle chemicals;
• Specially designed safety glasses, goggles, face shields or helmets if you work near hazardous radiation, such as welding, lasers or fiber optics.

All protective eyewear should comply with OSHA regulations for eye and face protection. OSHA also provides information about the types of filter lenses required for specific welding and cutting activities (PDF 181 KB), and cautions about the danger of eye irritation from welding fumes (PDF 405 KB) as well. Your gear should also meet the eye protection standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).