Do You Protect Your Eyes/Face?

Protecting your eyes and face is important in the workplace and outside of work. 40% of all accidents that cause blindness occur at home. OSHA states that eye injuries cost employers over $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker compensation.

Things to consider when working with hazardous material in the lab:

• Be familiar with the Safety Data Sheet to know what PPE is recommended.
• Review the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Assessment Form (for Research Laboratories) for the lab which should be found in the Safety Binder.
• Know where the eyewash stations are located in your lab area.
• Use an eyewear retainer strap to minimize scratches on the lens of your glasses.
• Always use safety goggles and a full-face shield when transferring liquid nitrogen.
• Use ANZI approved glasses for the appropriate wave length when working with lasers.
• Familiarize and follow the lab’s standard operating procedures.
• There are numerous examples in the literature of laboratory-acquired infections in laboratory personnel due to facial exposures to infectious agents. Eye and face protection should be worn as another barrier to prevent exposure when there is a risk for splashing of blood or infectious materials into the eye or face.
• Eye and eye protection also help prevent accidental contact of contaminated gloved hands with eyes, nose and mouth during work activities.

When not in the lab:

• Do you wear safety glasses when cutting your lawn?
• What about eye protection during weekend projects with the table saw?
• Do you get eye exams at least every 2 years?
• When outdoors, do you use sunglasses to protect from UV light?
• Do you use a goggle/mask when playing a sport such as racquetball or lacrosse?

OSHA provides detailed information on recognizing and evaluating eye and face hazards and provides possible solutions for these hazards. Please visit https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/eyefaceprotection/hazards.html

Contact your research safety liaison for any additional help in evaluating PPE.