Section 408.40624. Use of eye and face protection.

(1) An employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye and face protection, when exposed to eye or face hazards or if risk of injury exists from any of the following:

(a)   Flying objects or particles.

(b)   Harmful contacts.

(c)   Exposures, such as glare.

(d)  Liquids.

(e)   Injurious radiation.

(f)    Electrical flash.

(g)   A combination of these hazards.

(2)    An employee who wears prescription eyewear shall be protected by 1 of the following:

(a)   Eye protection that incorporates the prescription in its design.

(b)   Eye protection that can be worn over prescription lenses without disrupting either the prescription eyewear or the protective eyewear.

(c)   Eye protection that incorporates corrective lenses mounted behind the protective lenses.

(3)    Eye and face protection equipment shall be of proper size to fit each employee and protect against the intrusion of foreign objects. Eye and face protection shall be kept clean and in good repair. Equipment with structural or optical defects shall not be used.

(4)      A protector shall be in compliance with all of the following minimum requirements:

(a)     Provides adequate protection against the particular hazards for which it is designed.

(b)   Be reasonably comfortable when worn under the designated conditions.

(c)   Fits snugly and does not unduly interfere with movements of the wearer.

(d)  Be durable.

(e)   Be capable of withstanding sanitizing.

(5)    An employer shall ensure that eye and face personal protective equipment is distinctly marked to facilitate identification of the manufacturer.

(6)   Limitations or precautions indicated by the manufacturer shall be transmitted to the user and care is taken to ensure that the limitations or precautions are observed.

(7)   Table 1 shall be used as a guide in the selection of face and eye protection for the hazards and operations noted.

TABLE 1

EYE AND FACE PROTECTOR SELECTION GUIDE

1.	GOGGLES	Flexible Fitting, Regular Ventilation
2.	GOGGLES	Flexible Fitting, Hooded Ventilation
3.	GOGGLES	Cushioned Fitting, Rigid Body
* 4.	SPECTACLES	Metal Frame, with Side Shields
* 5.	SPECTACLES	Plastic Frame, with Side Shields
* 6.	SPECTACLES	Metal-Plastic Frame, with Side Shields
** 7.	WELDING GOGGLES	Eyecup Type, Tinted Lenses (Illustrated)
7A.	CHIPPING GOGGLES	Eyecup Type, Clear Safety Lenses (Not Illustrated)
**8.	WELDING GOGGLES	Converspec Type, Tinted Lenses (Illustrated)
**8A.	CHIPPING GOGGLES	Coverspec Type, Clear Safety Lenses. (Not Illustrated)
**9.	WELDING GOGGLES	Coverspec Type, Tinted Plate Lens
10.	FACE SHIELD	(Available with Plastic or Mesh Window)
**11.	WELDING HELMETS

APPLICATIONS
OPERATION	HAZARDS	RECOMMENDED PROTECTORS: Bold Type Numbers Signify Preferred Protection
Acetylene-Burning Acetylene-Cutting Acetylene-Welding	Sparks, Harmful rays, Molten Metal, Flying Particles	7, 8, 9
Chemical Handling	Splash, Acid burns, Fumes	2, 10 (For severe exposure add 10 over 2)
Chipping	Flying Particles	1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7A, 8A
Electric(arc) Welding	Sparks, Intense Rays, Molten Metal	9, 11 (11 in combination with 4, 5, 6, in tinted lenses advisable)
Furnace Operations	Glare, Heat, Molten Metal	7, 8, 9 (For severe exposure add 10)
Grinding-Light	Flying Particles	1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10
Grinding-Heavy	Flying Particles	1, 3, 7A, 8A (For severe exposure add 10)
Laboratory	Chemical Splash, Glass Breakage	2 (10 when in combination with 4, 5, 6)
Machining	Flying Particles	1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10
Molten Metals	Heat, Glare, Sparks, Splash	7, 8 (10 in combination with 4, 5, 6, in tinted lenses)
Spot Welding	Flying Particles, Sparks	1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10

* Non-side shield spectacles are available for limited hazard use requiring only frontal protection.

** See table 2 of this rule, “Filter Lens Shade Numbers During Welding Operations.”

History: 1980 AACS; 1988 AACS; 2013 AACS; 2014 AACS.