EYE PROTECTION

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Topic : Personal Protective Gears  

PREVENT EYE INJURY

 

Eye injuries ranging from chemical burns to foreign objects in your eye, are common in the work place. Fortunately you can avoid eye injuries by wearing appropriate and effective eye protection.

There are three primary types of eye protection, each with a different purpose.

• Safety Glasses have impact resistant components. Their main purpose is to protect the eyes from glare and flying particles. Side shields offer additional protection against side impact.
• Safety Goggles Fit tightly around the entire eye area. The ventilated type provides protection against flying particles, mists and sprays. The non ventilated type provides protection against gases, fumes, dusts, flying particles, chemical splashes, mists and sprays.
• Face Shields and helmets protect the entire face and the front of the neck from flying objects or chemical splashes of hazardous liquids. Always-weasrafety glasses under a face shield for adequate eye protection. 

Depending on the job, these devices may be used alone or together. 

When should you use eye protection and what kind should you wear ? If you are working with chemicals or engaged in any activity that creates flying debris, dirt, dust, or sparks, you should wear eye protection. Here are some examples of types of eye protection for different jobs: 

• Chemical handling - Wear goggles and a face shield specifically designed for use with chemicals.
• Welding - Wear welding helmets / welding goggles, which are specially designed for welding hazards.
• Activities that involve chipping, grinding, riveting, sanding - Wear safety glasses with side shields or goggles. Use a face shield , too ,if there are large flying objects or lots of debris.
• Woodworking — Wear goggles.
• Anytime you work or walk through process plant areas — Wear safety glasses with side shields.
• Learn first aid for eye injuries, and know the location of emergency eyewash stations.
• Inform your supervisor if your eyewear is defective.

EYE PROTECTION

1.  A tiny fragment in your eye can cause disaster.
2.  See the first - aider for treatment to eyes - not a dirty handkerchief.
3. You have a legal obligation to wear or use the eye protection provided in accordance with regulations and a risk assessment.
4.  Even if you are not carrying out one of the specified processes you may be at risk, so wear or use the eye protection provided.
5.  Do not watch welding processes unless your eyes are properly protected.
6.  Do not go into areas where eye protection is required unless you are wearing protective equipment.
7.  Take care of any protective equipment issued to you.
8.  Have any damaged, lost, or unserviceable protective equipment replaced immediately.
9.  Make sure your eye protectors are suitable for you and for the work being done.
10.  Ensure that eye protectors are comfortable to wear and keep them clean.
11.  The place for eye protectors is over your eyes - not on your head or round your neck.
12. When removing your eye protection, make sure dirt or material fragment do not fall back into your eyes.
13. If dirt or particles should come into contact with eyes, do not rub eyes. Seek medical attention straight away. Rubbing your eyes can cause further damage.
14.  REMEMBER - eye protectors are replaceable; your eyes are not.

  Eye wash and Showers

 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation insists the requirement for emergency eye wash and shower equipment in certain industry. This general regulation is as follows:

"Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use."

This general regulation is applicable to all facilities that require the installation of emergency eye wash and shower equipment as a form of first aid. The following specifications are taken directly from the ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2009 standard.

Plumbed Shower: 

An emergency shower permanently connected to a source of potable water.

1. Heads

1. Positioned 82"--96" from floor.
2. Spray pattern will have a minimum diameter of 20" at 60" above the floor. 
3. Flow Rate=20 gallons per minute (GPM) at 30 pounds per square inch (PSI).
4. The center of the spray pattern shall be located at least 16 inches from any obstruction.

2. Valves

1. Activate in 1 second or less.
2. Stay-open valve (no use of hands).
3. Valve remains on until the user shuts it off. 

3. Installation

1. Shower shall be located in an area that requies no more than 10 seconds to reach. 
2. Shower location shall be in a well-lit area and identified with a sign.
3. Shower shall be located on the same level as the hazard.

4. Maintenance and Training

1. Plumbed showers will be activated weekly to verify correct operation.
2. All employees who might be exposed to a chemical splash shall be trained in the use of the equipment.
3. All showers shall be inspected annually to make sure they meet with ANSI 2358.1 requirement.

Plumbed eye wash; An eye wash unit permanently connected to a sourcof potable water.

1. Heads

1. Positioned 33"-45" from floor.
2. Positioned 6" from wall or nearest obstruction.
3. 0.4 gallons per minute for 15 minutes for plumbed units shall provide flushing fluid at 30 PSI.

2. Valves 

1.  Activate in 1 second or less.
2. Stay-open valve (leaving hands free). 
3. Remains open until the user shuts off. 

3. Installation

• Eyewash equipment shall be located in an area that requires no more than 10 seconds to reach.
• The location of the eye wash unit shall be in a well-lit area and identified with a sign. 
• Eyewash equipment shall be on the same level as the hazard.

4. Maintenance and Training

1. Plumbed eye wash units shall be activated weekly to verify proper operation.
2. All employees who might be exposed to a chemical splash shall be trained in the use of the equipment.
3. All eyewash equipment shall be inspected annually to make sure they meet ANSI Z358.1 requirements.

The regulation also specifies the temperature of shower water. The water temperature shall not be less than 60 deg. F and not more than 100 deg.F.

A SENSIBLE WORKER VALUES HIS/HER SIGHT