• General Introduction
• Eye and Face protection
• Hand Protection
• Gloves (chemical resistant)
• Clothing
• Hearing Protection
• Respiratory Protective Equipment
• Safety Shoes

Eye Protection

• overview
• Selecting the correct type
• Prescription safety glasses
• To order prescription glasses
• Non-prescription
• Eye Protection Regulations
• Why wear safety glasses?
  
  

Overview

Wearing eye protection is required by OSHA regulation whenever and wherever potential eye hazards exist. Hazards requiring eye and/or face protection include flying particles; molten metal; liquids including acids or caustic materials, biological or radioactive materials; chemical gases or vapors; and potentially injurious light radiation. These and other eye hazards may exist in labs, shops, mechanical rooms, construction sites, hazardous material storage areas, emergency zones, and other locations. Departments, labs and centers are responsible for providing appropriate protection to anyone who works in, studies in or visits an area where there are hazards to the eyes and/or face.

Wear eye protection in areas where potential eye hazards exist whether you are working, observing or visiting. In some circumstances safety glasses or goggles alone may not provide adequate protection; a face shield may also be necessary. Eye and/or face hazards could be released when something explodes, spills, breaks, falls or splashes; by operations that produce chips, dust and other flying particles; and by operations which produce non-ionizing radiation such as welding or lasers.

Only wear eye protection that meets the ANSI standard for impact resistance (ANSI Z87.1). Don't rely on normal prescription glasses or "visitor" safety glasses that do not have the ANSI Z87.1 marking, because these do not meet the standard for impact resistance.

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Selecting the correct type of Eye Protection

Wearing eye protection is an important safety practice. Selecting the correct type to protect your eyes is equally important. Contact the EHS Office for advice to choose the appropriate eye protection for the hazard(s), as described in the table below.

Types of protective eyewear include:

• safety glasses: with side shields (built in or clip on)
• goggles for chemical splash, mist: indirect vents
• goggles for chips, dust: direct vents
• faceshield: must be worn with goggles to prevent liquid chemicals from getting into the eyes. Must be worn with safety glasses to prevent chips or other particles from getting into the eyes.

EHS programs are abbreviated:
BSP IHP RPP SP

Note 1: If you will need to wear a full face respirator and prescription glasses, you can order prescription lenses that fit into the respirator, which you order from IHP (Respiratory Protection).

Note 2: If you will need to wear a welding goggle, helmet or faceshield and prescription glasses, you can order prescription lenses that fit into the filter shade lenses.

Note 3: Prescription safety glasses can be made with lenses designed for working with lasers. An alternative is to purchase a pair of laser safety glasses that can be used by every laser user. Then some people could wear these over their prescription glasses. Laser safety training is required before using a laser.

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Prescription Safety Glasses

DLCs must furnish one pair of prescription, impact-resistant (ANSI Z87) eyeglasses free of charge to employees whose work requires their use.

The supervisor must approve all requests for prescription safety glasses. The EHS Office/ Safety Program will review all requests.

To order prescription safety glasses

1. Obtain approval from your supervisor to order prescription safety glasses.

2. Obtain a department requisition (not required for Facilities).

3. Obtain a prescription or you can use a prescription that is less than one year old. You must pay for this.

4. Take this prescription to the MIT Optical Shop (W20-027 x8-5367).

5. Try on and select a style/ frame from those that are approved for this program.

6. The optician will take measurements for the frames and will fill out the order form. There is no charge for this.

7. Mail or bring the completed order form and the requisition to the EHS Office in N52-496.

8. The EHS Office/ Safety Program will notify you when your glasses are ready to be picked up at N52-496.

9. Take your glasses back to the MIT Optical Shop (W20-027). The optician will verify that the glasses were made correctly and will make adjustments.

10. If glasses break, are scratched or prescription changes, then order a new pair by following this procedure.

11. Bifocal lenses will be furnished when necessary.

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Non- Prescription Eyewear

VWR and many other safety supply companies sell a wide variety of non- prescription glasses, goggles, etc. Check that the eyewear meets the ANSI Z87 standard.

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Eye Protection Regulations

OSHA Personal Protective Equipment standard 1910.133 Eye and face protection.

ANSI Z87 standard for impact resistance (available from the MIT Barker Engineering Library)

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Watch this video comparing polycarbonate glasses to other materials.

Statistics on eye injuries indicate:

• An estimated 1000 eye injuries occur per day in American workplaces.
• Most injuries occur when the person was not wearing eye protection or was wearing the incorrect type.
• A very high percentage of eye injuries occur when something strikes the eye from the side, i.e. not due to your activity.
• About 70% of accidents involved small particles that were released when something exploded, fell, broke and from operations that produce chips or dust. These particles travel faster than you can react.

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Green Goods Purchasing
How to "buy green" at MIT.