Eye And Face Protection At Work: What You Need To Know
One of the most dangerous and distressing places to sustain an injury is the eyes. The potential for eye injury should always be taken very seriously — they can result in impaired vision, or in the worst case scenarios, even blindness.
Eye and face injuries are also among the most preventable of injuries — you just need to follow the law and make sure you have the proper equipment for the job at hand.
Read on for everything you need to know about face and eye protection in the workplace.
Explore the full personal protection collection at MI Supplies for all your eye and face protection needs.
What is face and eye protection used for? What are the hazards in your workplace?
Eye and face protection is used in instances where injury could potentially occur in the absence of protection. Basically, is there is any possibility that harm could be caused then eye and face protection is needed. This harm could be caused by physical hazards, for example in construction, or chemical hazards. To ensure you have the correct protection, you need to thoroughly consider every potential hazard, including:- Impact hazards. Are you working with any loose materials, or is there debris that could hit the eyes or face?
- Chemical hazards. Are you working with any dangerous chemicals?
- Heat and dust. Is there any chance of sparks hitting the face, or hazardous dust getting in the eyes?
What is the law about face and eye protection?
If you are an employer, you are required by law to provide workers with adequate protection for any jobs they may be carrying out, especially if there is a potential risk to their health or safety. This law is the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992, which is part of the Health and Safety at Work Act. This law also states that the protective equipment must be provided by the employer — you are not allowed to charge your employees for PPE used for work.
What should you consider with face and eye protection?
When looking at buying face and eye protection for the workplace there are a number of things you need to consider to make sure your equipment is suitable. These include;- Does it protect the wearer? First and foremost, you need to be 100% sure that that the equipment you’re using is adequate for the job at hand.
- Does it hinder vision or movement? You need to be sure that your equipment doesn’t hinder vision or movement, as this in itself is another safety hazard.
- Does it fit, and is it comfortable to wear? Your equipment needs to be able to be worn comfortably for a prolonged period of time.
- Can it be worn with other necessary items of PPE? For example, if you are buying glasses, you need to be sure that they can be worn comfortably alongside a helmet, or any other protection you require.
- Is it hard wearing and durable? There needs to be no chance that your equipment can break — the higher the quality, the better the protection.
Different kinds of face and eye protection
If you are looking to invest in face or eye protection, there are a number of different types available depending on the potential for injury. You can choose from;Safety Glasses
Safety glasses offer the minimum protection, but nevertheless, keep eyes safe from flying objects. If there is any possibility of objects hitting the face from the side, you should always opt for glasses with side shields. Wraparound sunglasses can also work for more casual wear, or in situations where the threat isn’t substantial. At MI Supplies you can explore protective sunglasses with UV protection, ideal for keeping your eyes protected during any outdoor work.Vented Goggles
Vented safety goggles are the next step up from safety glasses. They are heavy duty and offer a more substantial protection due to their all-encompassing, tight fit. If you are working with chemicals, a goggle is ideal for full protection from chemical splashes. The fit of vented goggles also means, unlike sunglasses, there is little chance of them falling off, so they are the ideal choice for protection in more active situations.Goggles With Added Helmet
There are some situations, for example during construction or industrial work, where you need both your head and eyes protecting. In these scenarios, opt for a goggle and safety helmet combination to ensure you are fully protected from any falling or flying debris.Respirator Mask
A respirator mask covers the nose and/or mouth, and is used to prevent the inhalation of any dust or toxic chemicals. Respirator masks can usually be worn alongside safety glasses or goggles, so are ideal for those looking for complete facial protection.Full Face Shields
In the most dangerous situations, a full face shield is needed to protect the whole face from any potential injury. Full face shields can be used by those working with extremely hazardous liquids, sprays and highly reactive materials, or those facing a greater risk of flying debris. While these may be slightly more limiting to the wearer, full face shields are a must for full protection when carrying out potentially dangerous work.Explore the full personal protection collection at MI Supplies for all your eye and face protection needs.