Eye and Face Protection Effective: September 2000 Vice-President, Finance and Administration Applicable Legislation: Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), R.S.O. 1990, Sections 25, 27, 28 O.Reg. 851, R.R.O. 1990, Industrial Establishments, Sections 29, 36, 79, 81, 84, 137 Relevant Standards: Canadian Standards Association (CSA): Z94.3-00: Industrial Eye and Face Protectors Z94.5-95: Non-prescription Sunglasses DIR-.009: List of Certified Occupational Health and Sports Safety Products American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers: ANSI Z136.1-1993 Intent: To outline the University s eye and face protection policy and to provide minimum requirements for eye and face protection in various University workplaces. Definitions: critical injury CSA eye and face protectors face shields includes loss of sight in an eye. Canadian Standards Association a not-for-profit, independent, private sector organization that serves the public, governments, and business as a forum for national consensus in the development of standards; offers certification testing and related services. devices designed to provide protection against impact, splash, and radiation. secondary protective devices intended to shield the wearer s face from physical objects and chemical substances (i.e. must be worn with primary protective eyewear). Face shields are warranted when working with grinders, glassware under reduced or elevated pressure, corrosive chemicals, or solutions that are 6M or stronger. Page 1 of 8
goggles laser protective eyewear ophthalmic crown glass lenses optical plastic (CR39) lenses polycarbonate lenses primary protective devices intended to fit the face immediately surrounding the eyes in order to shield the eyes from particulate and dust hazards or from chemicals. Goggles come in two main varieties, impact-resistant and splash-resistant. There are four main types of vents; direct (allows the dissipation of heat and humidity), indirect (permits the passage of air but not liquid), non-vented (for protection against vapours and fumes), and gas-proof (for protection against harmful vapours). goggles, spectacles, or prescription eyewear incorporating high optical density filter materials or reflective coatings (or a combination of both) to reduce the potential ocular exposure to laser radiation below maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits as prescribed in ANSI Z136.1-1993. All personnel using Class 3b or Class 4 lasers shall assess their need for laser protective eyewear by a laser hazard analysis. Consult Environmental Health and Safety. do not meet the CSA impact standard for primary protection. Glass lenses are more scratch resistant than other lens materials, and must be worn with other CSA- approved eyewear. provide less resistance to impact by sharp or pointed objects and have low abrasion and scratch resistance. Plastic lenses are also lightweight and take tint very well. provide the highest level of impact protection that is retained when the lens becomes scratched. These lenses are lightweight and provide very good environmental ultraviolet protection, but scratch easily. Impact resistance may be lessened by the application of special coatings. prescription glasses cannot be used alone as protective eyewear. prescription safety glasses primary protective eyewear protective spectacles prescription lenses (not certified by CSA) are mounted in safety frames that meet the CSA standard. The CSA recommends that prescription lens be at least three-millimetres thick and made of optical plastic or polycarbonate. prescription safety glasses, goggles, and prescription glasses when worn with secondary protective eyewear. primary protective devices intended to shield the wearer s eyes from impact and optical radiation hazards. The frames and lenses of spectacles shall conform to CSA standards. The Association s logo will be permanently placed on at least one component, usually Page 2 of 8
the inside of one of the temples. Protective spectacles shall have permanently attached side shields, or shall provide peripheral protection by design. Protective spectacles are also known as plano safety glasses. safety frames may be made of plastic or metal and bear the CSA logo on the temple. Metal frames may be inappropriate in some workplace environments because they conduct heat and electricity. Safety frames accommodate side shields that must provide the same or greater protection than the lens. secondary protective worn only in conjunction with primary protective eyewear. eyewear side shields special purpose lenses welding helmets protect against impact hazards but do not offer full protection against chemical splashes. lenses for protection against specific radiant energies such as ultraviolet or infrared radiations which can be fitted into protective spectacle frames. Special coatings include those for tints, antireflection, and scratch-resistance. secondary protective devices intended to shield the eyes and face from optical radiation and impact. Requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Sections 27,28 Duties of a Supervisor 27.(1)(b) 27.(2)(a) A supervisor shall ensure that a worker uses or wears the equipment, protective devices or clothing that the worker s employer requires to be used or worn; A supervisor shall advise a worker of the existence of any potential or actual danger to the health or safety of the worker of which the supervisor is aware; Duties of Workers 28.(1)(a) 28.(1)(b) 28.(2)(a) A worker shall work in compliance with the provisions of the Act and the regulations; A worker shall use or wear the equipment, protective devices or clothing that his employer requires to be used or worn; No worker shall remove or make ineffective any protective device required by the regulations or by his or her employer, without providing an adequate temporary protective device and when the need for removing or making Page 3 of 8
ineffective the protective device has ceased, the protective device shall be replaced immediately. Requirements of O. Reg. 851 for Industrial Establishments, Section 81 81. A worker exposed to eye injury shall wear eye protection appropriate in the circumstances. Policy: 1. Persons exposed to an eye or face hazard from physical objects (i.e. impact hazard), chemical substances (splash or vapour hazard), harmful radiant energy, and nuisance dust, shall wear eye or face protection. 2. Eye and face protective devices shall not be used as substitutes for machine guards and other engineered controls. 3. The requirements for eye protection and the type necessary in a specific workplace or for a specific process shall be determined by the supervisor. The workplace shall be posted as an EYE PROTECTION MANDATORY area. Supervisors shall enforce this eye and face protection policy by behaviour observation, dialogue, zero tolerance for non-compliance, and progressive discipline. 4. Employees shall wear eye protection which meets or exceeds the Canadian Standard Association (CSA) standard Z94.3-00 whenever they are exposed to the potential danger of hazardous substances or flying particles. Protective spectacles and prescription safety glasses shall have permanently mounted side shields, or shall provide peripheral protection by design. (Eye protection which meets or exceeds American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards Z87.1-89 and Z87.1A-91 may not meet Canadian impact-protection standards). 5. When working on live electrical equipment, non-conducting frames with scratch resistant clear polycarbonate lenses or CR-39 (plastic) lenses with ultraviolet (UV400) protection are acceptable in all light conditions. Shaded lenses with ultraviolet protection to a maximum shade rating of 1.7 may be worn during bright conditions, but are not recommended when working in low light conditions. (These recommendations originate from the Electrical Utilities Safety Association.) 6. Users of eye and face protectors shall be instructed in the use, limitations and maintenance of the eye protection, and eyewear cleaning procedures. Supervisors shall facilitate this training as required. 7. Plano spectacles, goggles, face shields, and welding helmets for job-specific use shall be provided by the employee s department. Page 4 of 8
8. Employees who wear contact lenses should consult the University s Occupational Health and Wellness Administrator about workplace risks and appropriate eye protection. 9. The type of eye protection required in a student laboratory or activity shall be determined by the course instructor or activity supervisors. The protective eyewear requirements and expectations shall be written into student manuals. Students shall be responsible for providing their own protective eyewear unless it is provided. Instructors and activity supervisors are responsible for enforcing this eye and face protection policy by behaviour observation, dialogue, and zero tolerance for noncompliance. 10. Departments shall provide CSA-approved protective spectacles to employees, students, and visitors who are invited to tour University facilities which are posted as an EYE PROTECTION MANDATORY area. Guidelines: Permanent identification of the supplier or manufacturer must be placed on lenses, spectacle frames or temples, goggle eyecups and frames, helmet bodies and other items of eye/face protection. In addition, the mark of the national testing agency must be permanently placed on at least one component of the assembled product. The manufacturer or supplier can then be contacted to find out if a particular mark indicates that the product was manufactured to comply with the CSA Standard Z94.3-00. Procedure for Obtaining Prescription Lens Safety Glasses Regular full-time employees needing prescription safety glasses (clear or tinted lens) for occupational exposures shall be issued a prescription lens Authorization Form by their immediate supervisors. (Forms are available from EHS upon request.) The authorization form shall be presented to the employee s eye care professional. The names and locations of participating optometrists may be found at the web site: www.opto.ca. The cost of CSA-approved eyewear shall be paid by the University. Employees shall be entitled to this subsidized CSA-approved prescription eyewear once every two years. For persons between 20 and 64 years of age, provincial coverage is limited to one full eye examination every 24 months. Payment for all professional services not insured by the government is the responsibility of the patient. Pre-assignment medical examinations (primarily ocular) shall be required for laser personnel needing laser safety eyewear for Class 3b and Class 4 laser use. (For further information, see Appendix E of ANSI Z136.1-1993.) Examinations shall be arranged in consultation with the University s Occupational Health and Wellness Administrator. The costs of preassignment medical examinations for employees and students and non-prescription laser safety eyewear shall be paid by the department owning the laser. Page 5 of 8
Procedure for Obtaining Protective Spectacles Protective spectacles (i.e. non-prescription lens safety glasses) may be obtained from the Physical Resources Stockroom, from Environmental Health and Safety, or from optometrists participating in the Occupational Vision Plan of the Ontario Association of Optometrists. Procedure for Obtaining Face Shields and Goggles Consult Environmental Health and Safety about suppliers for approved face shields and goggles. Protective Eyewear Needs Assessment and Selection Appendix 1 outlines a guide for assessing the need for eye and face protection. A selection guide for various types of protective eyewear is shown in the CSA Standard Z94.3-00. Special considerations arise when prescription or safety eyewear must be worn with other personal protective equipment such as a full facepiece respirator. Consult your supervisor, Environmental Health and Safety, and your eye care professional for advice about selection and fitting of eyewear in special circumstances. Selection of Sunglasses Sunglasses may be appropriate for certain outdoor workers (e.g. grounds keepers, gardeners, and heavy equipment operators who spend more than six hours per day in sunlight) to protect against solar ultraviolet radiation and high-intensity visible light. Sunglasses that conform to CSA Z94.5-95 may be required by the work supervisor. The cost of prescription sunglasses may be eligible for subsidy under the Extended Health Care Plan. Appendix 2 identifies factors to consider when purchasing non-prescription sunglasses for occupational uses. Page 6 of 8
Appendix 1 Eye and Face Protection Assessments In order to assess the need for eye and face protection, the following steps should be taken: Conduct a walk-through survey of the workplace. The purpose of the survey is to identify hazards to the eyes and face. Consideration should be given to the five basic hazard categories: - impact; - heat; - chemical; - dust; - optical radiation. During the walk-through survey, be observant for: - sources of motion; - sources of high temperatures; - types of chemical exposures; - sources of dust; - sources of optical radiation; - layout of workplace and location of co-workers; - electrical hazards. Following the walk-through survey, assess the hazards in the environment to properly select protective equipment for the eyes and face. Consider the possibility of exposure to several hazards simultaneously. Communicate eye and face protection requirements to all personnel. Reassess workplace hazards as conditions change. Page 7 of 8
Appendix 2 How to Select Sunglasses < Lens Colour: Grey, brown or grey/green lenses provide glare protection without distorting colour vision. These are more suitable lens colours for driving and flying. Yellow or orange lenses reduce glare, but may impair colour perception. < Lens density: Most workers do not require sunglasses that transmit less than eight per cent of incident light. < UV blockage: Polycarbonate and plastic lenses block UV better than glass lenses. Look for the transmittance level of UVA and UVB on the package, label or tag. UVA and UVB protection can be embedded in the lens or coated on the lens. Consult your optician for selection advice. Polarizing lenses eliminate reflected glare from water and road surfaces and block UV radiation. < Material: Plastic or polycarbonate lenses are lighter and more comfortable than glass lenses. They are generally more impact-resistant when thicker than two millimetres (2mm). However, glass lenses are more scratch-resistant. < Optical quality: Optically ground and polished lenses are superior to moulded ones. Check the appearance of reflections from the lens surfaces for distortions that indicate inferior optical quality. < Frame: The earpieces and bridge or nose pads should fit snugly with slight adjustments, but not pinch. Hinges should turn smoothly, and the edges should be smooth to the touch. The frame design should be rugged enough to withstand frequent handling. Larger lenses sizes provide more effective sun protection than smaller ones. For additional information, see Safety Policy 851.13.13 concerning Occupational Exposure to Sunlight. Page 8 of 8 Last editorial revision, 23 January 2001