Eye & Face Protection
Thousands of workers suffer eye injuries every year, and most could have been prevented with the right eye protection. Flying chips, dust, chemical splashes and welding light can all blind you.
- Construction
- General Industry
Photo: safety glasses, goggles, face shield and welding helmet lined up
Choosing the right protection
| Hazard | Use |
|---|---|
| Flying particles: nailing, drilling, sawing, chipping | Safety glasses with side protection (marked Z87+) |
| Dust, fine particles, sanding overhead | Dust goggles or sealed safety glasses |
| Chemical splash: concrete, solvents, acids | Indirect-vent or non-vented chemical splash goggles, plus face shield for large splashes |
| Grinding, cut-off saws, high-speed debris | Face shield over safety glasses or goggles |
| Welding, cutting, brazing | Welding helmet or goggles with the correct shade number |
Reading the markings
ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 eyewear is marked on the frame and lens. Common marks:
| Mark | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Z87 | Basic impact protection |
| Z87+ | High-impact protection (what you want on a jobsite) |
| D3 | Splash and droplet protection (goggles and face shields) |
| D4 / D5 | Dust / fine dust protection (goggles) |
| W + number | Welding filter with that shade number |
| U + number | UV filter |
| V | Photochromic (darkens in sunlight) |
| S | Special-purpose tint |
Welding shades
Use at least the minimum shade, then go darker until you can see the work comfortably. Some common minimums:
| Operation | Minimum shade |
|---|---|
| Stick welding (SMAW), electrodes 3/32–5/32 inch | 8 |
| Stick welding, electrodes 5/32–1/4 inch | 10 |
| MIG and flux-core (GMAW/FCAW), 60–500 amps | 10 |
| TIG (GTAW), 50–150 amps | 8 |
| Oxyfuel cutting, light to heavy | 3 to 5 |
| Torch brazing | 3 |
Coworkers nearby also need protection from welding flash: use welding screens and curtains. “Arc eye” (a burn on the surface of the eye) is very painful and often shows up hours later. See Welding & Cutting.
Warning: A face shield is secondary protection. It does not seal around your eyes. Always wear safety glasses or goggles underneath.
Fit and care
- Look for the Z87+ marking on the frame and lens (the + means high-impact rated).
- If you wear prescription glasses, use prescription safety glasses or over-the-glasses (OTG) safety glasses or goggles.
- Use anti-fog lenses or wipes in heat, cold or with masks.
- Clean lenses with lens cleaner or water, not your shirt. Replace scratched lenses.
- Use tinted lenses outdoors only; switch to clear indoors and in low light.
- Don’t wear regular glasses or sunglasses as safety glasses.
- Don’t push safety glasses up on your hard hat while working.
If something gets in your eye
- Chemicals: flush right away at an eyewash for at least 15 minutes. See Eyewash Stations.
- Embedded object: don’t rub or remove it. Cover both eyes loosely and get medical help.
- Dust: blink and flush with clean water. Get help if irritation continues.
Video: picking the right eye protection for the task
Standards & references
- 29 CFR 1926.102: Eye and face protection (construction)
- 29 CFR 1910.133: Eye and face protection (general industry)
- ANSI/ISEA Z87.1: Eye and face protection devices
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