CAN I WEAR NORMAL PRESCRIPTION LENSES/FRAMES INSTEAD? NO. Normal prescription lenses and frames DO NOT meet safety requirements, are not strong enough and haven’t been tested to ANSI standards. Prescription safety glasses that meet ANSI standards [ANSI Z87-2+] or over-the-glasses safety glasses/goggles may be worn as a substitute for safety glasses/goggles. EYEWASH STATIONS Cal/OSHA requires eyewash stations (EWS) where employees may encounter corrosive chemicals and specifies requirements for eyewash stations, including accessibility and functionality criteria. Battery charging, battery filling, used battery storage and use/dispensing of corrosive chemicals or irritants are processes that require the installation of an eyewash station. In general, Cal/OSHA refers to ANSI standards as the widely accepted guideline for the proper selection, installation, operation and maintenance of emergency eyewash station equipment. Note: During routine inspections, remind employees to keep the area clear. DOES THE PARTS DEPARTMENT NEED AN EYEWASH? YES. A big box warehouse store with multiple outlets in California was cited by Cal/OSHA for failure to have eyewash stations. The employer appealed to the California Occupational Safety & Health Appeals Board (COSHAB) stating that the eyewash standard does not apply as the chemicals are merely unloaded, unboxed and placed on shelves in sealed containers by employees. COSHAB held that the employees could be exposed to leaks and spills from packages damaged in transit and when employees unpack these cases. Employees involved in cleanup in the warehouse where there is a spill have the potential of an eye injury from corrosive and irritating chemicals, hence the requirement of an eyewash in the warehouse. Safety Glasses • Basic protection against flying objects and large particles. • Must meet ANSI Z87.1 standards. • Limitations include gaps allowing potential entry of chemicals and vapors. Safety Goggles • Provides basic protection of safety glasses but includes 360° coverage around the eyes with no gaps. • Additional protection to eyes against chemical splashes (i.e., battery explosion) but doesn’t provide protection to the face. • Ideal for use in scenarios involving battery handling and chemical exposure. Face Shields • Secondary protection, used in conjunction with safety glasses or goggles. • Essential for tasks involving splashing or spraying of hazardous materials. • Shouldn’t be used alone or in place of safety glasses/goggles. Welding Goggles/Helmets • Required for protection during welding activities. • Goggles: Used with OXYGEN torches when cutting or welding. Shade protection of 3 to 6 (depending on plate thickness) to EYES. • Helmets: Used with GAS TUNGSTEN torches when welding. Shade protection of 7 to 10 (depending on arc current) to EYES and FACE. TYPES OF EYE PROTECTION Employees are often exposed to hazards such as flying particles, chemical splashes and intense light from welding operations. These hazards make appropriate eye protection necessary. EYEWASH STATION (EWS) SELECTION Water Temperature • Tepid (60-100° F). Type • Plumbed or wall-mounted tank. • Plumbed units are generally better and are preferred where water lines are available. Flow • Should wash both eyes at no more than 8” above the spray-head. • Eyewash tester can be used to ensure these two requirements are met. • Flow needs to deliver at least 0.4 gallons of water/minute for 15 minutes. • Flow pattern should be 33-55 inches from the floor. Capacity • Only applicable if using a tank system: minimum capacity of 6 gallons. Operation • Can be operated hands-free with a stay-open valve that activates in under 1 second. Covers • Must have a cover that protects spray heads from airborne contaminants. • Covers must move freely enough to be pushed open by the flow of water. NCDA.COM 15
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