Toolbox Training Eye Safety

SUPERVISOR INSTRUCTIONS:
x Use toolbox trainings to encourage safety/environmental discussions during monthly meetings with
employees.
x Campus Services’ employees should maintain the employee sign-in sheet in their department’s
safety/environmental compliance binder as a record of training. All other groups should maintain a record of
training in accordance with their Division’s training procedures.
T
he human eye is the organ which gives us the sense of
sight, allowing us to observe and learn more about the
surrounding world than we do with any of the other four
senses. We use our eyes in almost every activity we
perform- whether reading, working, watching television, writing a
letter, driving a car and in countless other ways. The eye is the key
to seeing the world around us.
Most people probably would agree that sight is the sense they value more than all the rest.
Each day about 2000 U.S. workers have a job-related eye injury that accounts for about $300
million in lost production time, workers compensation and medical expenses. Most of these
injuries result from small particles or objects striking or abrading the eye. This training examines
eye safety and ways to protect the vital organ in the workplace
Potential Eye Hazards

Potential eye hazards are impact, heat, chemical, dust and optical radiation. More detail is
included in the chart below:
Hazard Hazard Examples Image Protection Common Tasks

Chipping, grinding,
Flying objects such x Safety machining, masonry
as large chips, Glasses work, wood working,
Impact
fragments, x Goggles sawing, drilling,
Hazards
particles, sand and x Face chiseling, powered
dirt Shields fastening, riveting
and sanding
Toolbox Training Eye Safety_2 Revision Date: 21-Nov-17 Page 1 of 3

SAFETY/ENVIRONMENTAL TOOLBOX TALKS – EYE SAFETY
Hazard Hazard Examples Image x Protection Common Tasks
x Safety
Glasses
Welding, torch
x Goggles
Heat Anything emitting soldering, brazing,
x Face
Hazards extreme heat pouring, casting and
Shields
hot dipping
x Welding
Helmets
Acid and chemical

Splash, fumes, x Goggles handling,
Chemical
vapors and x Face degreasing, plating
Hazards
irritating mists Shields and working with
blood
Woodworking,
Dust
Harmful Dust x Goggles buffing and general
Hazards
dusty conditions
x Filter
Lenses
Welding, torch-
Optical Radiant energy, x Welding
cutting, brazing,
Radiation glare and intense Helmets
soldering and laser
Hazards light x Laser work
Safety
Lenses
What Type of Eye Protection is Best for Me?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) indicates two main reasons for eye
injury at work: not wearing eye protection or wearing the wrong kind of protection for the job.
The eye protection chosen for specific work situations depends upon the nature and extent of
the hazard, the circumstances of exposure, other protective equipment used, and personal
vision needs. Eye protection should be fit to an individual or adjustable to provide appropriate
coverage. It should also be comfortable and allow for sufficient peripheral vision. Selection of
protective eyewear appropriate for a given task should be made based on a hazard assessment
of each activity, including regulatory requirements when applicable. The most common types of
protective eyewear are listed below:
x Safety Glasses: Safety glasses are primary protection intended to shield the eye from
impact hazards. Safety glasses with side protection provide minimum protection and are
for general working conditions. Prescription safety glasses are also available. OSHA’s
eye and face protection standard requires that eye and face protection be American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.1 certified. Look for the ANSI Z87.1 mark on the
lens or frame.
x Goggles: Goggles provide higher impact, dust, and chemical splash protection than
safety glasses. Goggles for splash or dust should have indirect venting. Direct vented
goggles are used for less fogging when working with large particles.
x Face Shields: Face shields are intended to protect the entire face from hazards and are
secondary protection used in conjunction with safety glasses or goggles for additional
protection. They should NEVER be worn alone.

SAFETY/ENVIRONMENTAL TOOLBOX TALKS – EYE SAFETY
x Filter Lenses: There are various shades of filter lenses that help protect against specific
levels of optical radiation in welding. A hazard assessment by EHSO will determine the
appropriate shade for the job being performed.
x Welding Helmets: Welding helmets are heat and electricity insulated and fire resistant.
They can have a lift-front or stationary window. Welding helmets are secondary
protection used in conjunction with filtered lenses for adequate protection.
x Laser Safety Lenses: Laser work creates intense levels of heat, ultraviolet, infrared and
reflected light radiation. A laser beam could produce intensities greater than looking
directly at the sun. For proper selection, lenses should protect against maximum laser
intensity based on the particular job being performed.
What Can Supervisors Do to Help Out? BE PROACTIVE!

x Create a safe work environment
o Minimize hazards from falling or unstable debris.
o Make sure tools work and safety features (machine guards) are in place.
o Make sure workers know how to use tools properly.
o Keep bystanders out of hazardous areas.
x Evaluate safety hazards
o Identify primary hazards at your location.
o A hazard assessment should determine the risk of exposure to eye and face
hazards, including those that may be encountered in an emergency. Contact
EHSO at (404) 727-5922 to have a workplace hazard assessment conducted for
your areas.
o Be aware of the possibility of multiple and simultaneous exposures and provide
the highest level of protection for each hazard.
x Make sure employees are wearing proper eye and face protection
o Select appropriate eye protection for the hazards.
o Make sure the employees eye protection is in good condition.
o Make sure the eye protection fits and will stay in place.
x Make sure employees are using good work practices
o Clean eyewear regularly.
o Do not rub eyes with dirty hands or clothing.
o Brush, shake or vacuum dust and debris from hardhats, hair, forehead or the top
of the eye protection before removing the protection.
x Prepare for eye injuries and first aid needs in advance by having an eye wash or
sterile solution on hand.
Questions for Discussion

Q
1. Because everyone’s head is shaped differently, protective eyewear needs to be checked for
fit.
Answer: True
2. Faceshields can be worn without additional eye protection.

Answer: False
3. You only have to wear eye protection when you feel like it.
Answer: False
4. The lenses and frames are both stronger on ANSI-approved safety glasses than on regular
glasses.
Answer: True

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SUPERVISOR INSTRUCTIONS:

Potential Eye Hazards

Hazard Hazard Examples Image Protection Common Tasks

Toolbox Training Eye Safety_2 Revision Date: 21-Nov-17 Page 1 of 3

Hazard Hazard Examples Image x Protection Common Tasks

Acid and chemical

What Type of Eye Protection is Best for Me?

Toolbox Training Eye Safety_2 Revision Date: 21-Nov-17 Page 2 of 3

What Can Supervisors Do to Help Out? BE PROACTIVE!

Questions for Discussion

2. Faceshields can be worn without additional eye protection.

Toolbox Training Eye Safety_2 Revision Date: 21-Nov-17 Page 3 of 3

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