OSHA Defense

An OSHA Guide to Eye and Face Protection Part 4 featured image

An OSHA Guide to Eye and Face Protection Part 4

There are many things to consider when outfitting your team with personal protective equipment (PPE) for your next project. Among the most important considerations is your team’s compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) regulatory standards which includes supplying your employees with OSHA-compliant eye and face protection.

If you need help following OSHA’s extensive safety guidelines, an OSHA defense attorney can educate you and your team on the best practices for achieving compliance. In part one, two, and three of this four-part series, our dedicated team of OSHA experts explored the many facets of eye and face PPE and how to maintain OSHA compliance on your project site. In part four, we will examine more eye and face PPE before wrapping up our guide.

Laser Safety Goggles

Lasers produce high-intensity concentrations of light that can cause irreparable damage to the eyes. Laser safety goggles help protect the eyes from these damaging rays of light. Choosing a model of laser safety goggles for your team depends on the equipment being used and the operating conditions on the project site.

Laser light radiation is dangerous, and exposure can cause permanent eye damage whether direct or reflected. Laser retinal burns are often painless, so employees are often unaware of any damage until it’s too late. In order for laser safety goggles to effectively protect the wearer, they must account for the specific wavelength of the laser and possess the necessary optical density needed to diffuse the energy involved in the laser process.

Face Shields

Face shields provide the wearer with increased protection against dust, irritants, and splashes and sprays of hazardous chemicals, but they don’t offer the same level of protection against impacts. This piece of protective apparatus is commonly used in conjunction with other face and eye PPE like goggles or safety spectacles. Face shields are made of a transparent sheet of hard plastic that extends from the eyebrows to below the chin and across the entire human visage. Daytime workers can benefit from using polarized face shields that protect the user from glares.

The goal of eye and face PPE is very simple, but choosing the correct PPE for your team can be more confusing than it initially appears when you take into account the sheer volume of PPE options available on the market and the precise needs of your project. Luckily, an OSHA defense lawyer can help you navigate the OSHA standards dictating eye and face PPE so your team is always equipped with the appropriate gear.

If you would like to speak with an OSHA defense lawyer, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.