May 2023

How Can You Protect Your Eyes?

Your employer must identify hazards in your work area to determine how best to avoid eye injuries.

• Eye hazards can be reduced by using machine guards and shields.

• PPE is needed if the hazards aren’t eliminated.

• Your employer must also provide eyewash facilities if you are exposed to corrosive materials

Eyewash Facilities Are Important

If a chemical splashes in your eyes, move quickly to and emergency shower or eyewash. Look directly into the stream of water and hold your eyes for at least 15 minutes and then get medical attention

Personal Protective Equipment

A wide variety of safety equipment is available. Protective eye and face equipment must comply with ANSI guidelines and be marked directly on the piece of equipment (e.g. glasses frames and lenses).

Safety Glasses

The most common type of protective equipment is safety glasses. They provide protection from flying chips or particles, and they can have tinted lenses to radiation and laser hazards.

It’s Important To Be Safe At Home Too!

Flying objects, chips, and particles; dust and mist; and chemical splashes can injure your eyes during home projects as easily as they can hurt you at work.

A good practice when selecting eye protection for use at home is to:

• Wear safety glasses with side shields or wear goggles to protect your eyes from objects, particles, or chips that could fly off during tool use or fall into your eyes while reaching overhead to work.