do you need to wear safety glasses

Safety glasses or other protective eyewear are mandatory whenever employees are exposed to eye or face hazards. OSHA requires the employer to ensure each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to hazards such as flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or harmful light radiation. This means eye protection is not optional when the hazard exists, and workers passing through hazardous areas may also need protection. [6] [14] [9]

A workplace hazard assessment must be completed to determine where eye and face hazards are present, whether those hazards can be eliminated without PPE, and what specific protection is required for each task or work area. The assessment should consider the task being performed, the likelihood of injury without PPE, and the severity of potential injury. Employers should keep certification of the assessment on file and repeat assessments as conditions change. [1] [2] [13]

Common eye hazards that typically trigger protective eyewear requirements include:

• Flying particles and chips from hammering, grinding, sanding, drilling, cutting, chiseling, masonry, machining, fastening, and powder-actuated tools
• Dusty or windy conditions, airborne dust, sand, dirt, and debris
• Chemical splashes from cleaners, solvents, acids, caustics, wet or powdered cement, and other hazardous liquids
• Welding, cutting, brazing, and other operations involving UV, infrared, or intense light radiation
• Blood or other potentially infectious body fluid splashes where applicable

[1] [4] [11] PPE selection and minimum eye protection rules:

• Use safety glasses with impact-resistant lenses and side shields for many impact hazards such as flying chips and particles
• Use goggles when protection is needed against dust, splashes, or a tighter seal around the eyes is necessary
• Use welding shields or helmets with the correct filter shade for welding and cutting operations involving radiant energy
• Use face shields for added face protection, but do not rely on a face shield alone where eye hazards exist; wear safety glasses or goggles underneath
• Provide prescription safety eyewear or goggles designed to fit over prescription glasses when corrective lenses are needed
• Require contact lens wearers to still use appropriate eye and face protection in hazardous environments

[6] [6] [1] [11] [8] [10] Employers should base their eye protection policy on the hazard assessment and clearly define where eyewear is required, what type is required for each task, and who must wear it. The policy should state that required PPE must be worn, supervisors must enforce compliance, damaged eyewear must be removed from service and replaced, and employees must be trained on when PPE is necessary, what type is necessary, how to wear it, and its limitations. The policy should also address compatibility with other PPE and the need to protect against multiple simultaneous hazards. [1] [1] [3] [7] [8]

OSHA-aligned workplace safety procedures for preventing eye injuries should follow the hierarchy of controls: first eliminate or reduce hazards through engineering, work-practice, or administrative controls; then require properly selected PPE for remaining risk. Examples include machine guards and barriers to stop chips or splashes, welding screens to protect nearby workers, keeping employees out of active hazard zones unless protected, maintaining clean and properly fitted eyewear, and ensuring emergency eyewash facilities are available where splash hazards exist. [5] [12] [10] [10]

In practice, a strong eye-injury prevention program should include routine hazard surveys, task-specific PPE selection, employee training, supervisor enforcement, regular inspection and replacement of damaged eyewear, and consistent use of properly fitted ANSI-compliant eye protection whenever exposure is possible.