Description
Eye Protection Workplace Safety Poster
Help protect employees from workplace eye injuries with the Eye Protection Workplace Safety Poster. This highly visible safety reminder reinforces the importance of wearing appropriate safety glasses, goggles, face protection, or other protective equipment when employees are exposed to eye and face hazards.
Eye hazards can occur in manufacturing, construction, maintenance, laboratories, warehouses, automotive facilities, chemical-handling operations, and many other workplaces. Proper protective equipment can help reduce the risk of injuries caused by flying particles, chemical splashes, molten materials, dust, and other hazardous exposures.
When Is Eye Protection Required?
Under 29 CFR 1910.133, OSHA requires employers to ensure that affected employees use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to applicable workplace eye and face hazards.
Hazards that may require protective eyewear or face protection include:
- Flying particles and debris
- Flying objects
- Molten metal
- Liquid chemicals
- Acids and caustic liquids
- Chemical gases or vapors
- Potentially injurious light radiation
- Grinding, cutting, machining, or similar operations that generate particles
What Types of Eye Protection May Be Used?
The appropriate type of eye or face protection depends on the hazards associated with the work being performed. Protective equipment may include:
- Safety glasses
- Safety glasses with side protection
- Safety goggles
- Chemical-splash goggles
- Face shields used with appropriate primary eye protection
- Protective eyewear designed for specific industrial hazards
- Filter lenses for welding and other potentially injurious light radiation
Employers should evaluate workplace hazards and select protective equipment appropriate for the type and level of exposure.
Side Protection for Flying Objects
OSHA requires eye protection with side protection when employees are exposed to hazards from flying objects. Appropriate side protection can help protect the eyes from particles or objects entering from the side rather than directly in front of the employee.
Depending on the protective eyewear and workplace hazard, side protection may be built into the eyewear or provided through appropriate detachable side protectors.
Eye Protection for Employees Who Wear Prescription Glasses
Regular prescription eyeglasses should not automatically be considered adequate workplace eye protection.
When an employee who wears prescription lenses is exposed to an eye hazard, OSHA requires appropriate protective eyewear that either incorporates the employee's prescription or can be worn over the prescription lenses without disturbing the proper position of either pair of lenses.
Chemical Splash and Liquid Hazards
Employees handling chemicals may be exposed to splashes, mists, vapors, acids, caustic liquids, and other substances capable of causing serious eye injuries. Employers should select eye and face protection appropriate for the chemical hazards present and ensure employees understand how and when the protective equipment must be used.
Employees should also know the location of applicable emergency eyewash equipment and follow workplace procedures for responding to chemical exposures.
Eye Protection for Grinding, Cutting and Machining
Grinding, cutting, drilling, machining, and similar operations can create flying particles, chips, fragments, sparks, or debris that may cause serious eye injuries.
Employees performing or working near these activities should wear appropriate eye or face protection based on the hazards present and follow established workplace safety procedures.
Welding and Light Radiation Hazards
Welding, cutting, brazing, and other operations can expose employees to potentially injurious light radiation. OSHA requires appropriate filter lenses with shade numbers suitable for the work being performed.
Employees performing these operations should use protective equipment specifically selected for the process and level of exposure.
Where Can an Eye Protection Poster Be Displayed?
The Eye Protection Workplace Safety Poster can be placed at entrances to designated PPE areas or in other highly visible locations where employees may encounter eye hazards, including:
- Manufacturing facilities
- Construction and maintenance areas
- Machine shops
- Grinding and cutting areas
- Automotive and repair facilities
- Laboratories
- Chemical handling and storage areas
- Warehouses and industrial facilities
- Welding and fabrication areas
- Employee safety and training areas
Is an Eye Protection Poster Required by OSHA?
OSHA requires employers to provide and ensure the use of appropriate eye or face protection when applicable workplace hazards are present. However, this particular Eye Protection Workplace Safety Poster is intended as a supplemental safety communication and employee-awareness resource and should not be represented as a universally required OSHA workplace poster.
The poster can help reinforce an employer's PPE requirements but does not replace required workplace hazard assessments, appropriate protective equipment, employee training, emergency procedures, or other applicable OSHA requirements.
Eye Protection Poster Specifications
- 8.5"W x 11"H
- Portrait orientation
- Printed in full color
- Laminated with high-quality laminate
Workplace Safety and Compliance Resources
Labor Law Compliance Center provides employers with labor law posters, workplace safety posters, specialty postings, and compliance resources for businesses throughout the United States. Browse our Workplace Safety Posters for additional PPE, hazard awareness, emergency response, and employee safety materials.
