Environment, Health and Safety

3.3 Eye Protection

3.3 Eye Protection

Eye protection is one of the most critical and easily implemented forms of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the laboratory or vivarium. To uphold a strong safety culture, laboratory personnel are required to wear eye protection at all times when working in or entering laboratory spaces. This is essential to protect against a wide range of biological, chemical, and physical hazards that may be present, including but not limited to:

  • Acids, caustic substances, or other chemical liquids
  • Biological agents
  • Flying particles or broken glass
  • Hot liquids or molten metal
  • Potentially injurious light radiation

The mandatory use of eye protection applies not only during active work with these hazards but also at all times within laboratory spaces to ensure preparedness for any unexpected risks. While sashes on fume hoods and biosafety cabinets provide a barrier, they are not failsafe. Eye protection adds an essential layer of safety against unforeseen risks.

It is the responsibility of Principal Investigators and laboratory supervisors to make use of eye protection a mandatory requirement for all laboratory personnel, including visitors, working in or entering laboratories under their control.

Additional information can be found on the OSHA Eye and Face Protection. and EHS Eye Protection in Laboratory Spaces webpage.

3.3.1 Eye Protection Selection

3.3.1 Eye Protection Selection

All protective eye and face devices must comply with ANSI Z87.1-2003, "American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection" and be marked to identify the manufacturer. When choosing proper eye protection, be aware there are a number of different styles of eyewear that serve different functions.

Prescription Safety Eyewear

OSHA regulations require that employees who wear prescription lenses while engaged in operations that involve eye hazards shall wear eye protection that incorporates the prescription in its design, or must wear eye protection that can be worn over the prescription lenses (goggles, face shields, etc.) without disturbing the proper position of the prescription lenses or the protective lenses. Any prescription eyewear purchase must comply with ANSI Z87.1-1989.

Note: Contact lenses by themselves are not considered as protective eyewear.

Safety Glasses

Safety glasses provide eye protection from moderate impact and particles associated with grinding, sawing, scaling, broken glass, and minor chemical splashes, etc. Side protectors are required when there is a hazard from flying objects. Safety glasses are available in prescription form for those persons needing corrective lenses. Safety glasses do not provide adequate protection for processes that involve heavy chemical use such as stirring, pouring, or mixing. In these instances, splash goggles should be used. 

Splash Goggles

Splash goggles provide adequate eye protection from many hazards, including potential chemical splash hazards, use of concentrated corrosive material, and bulk chemical transfer. Goggles are available with clear or tinted lenses, fog proofing, and vented or non-vented frames. Be aware that goggles designed for woodworking are not appropriate for working with chemicals. These types of goggles can be identified by the numerous small holes throughout the facepiece. In the event of a splash, chemicals could enter into the small holes, and result in a chemical exposure to the face. Ensure the goggles you choose are rated for use with chemicals. 

Welder's/Chipper's Goggles

Welder’s goggles provide protection from sparking, scaling, or splashing metals and harmful light rays. Lenses are impact resistant and are available in graduated lens shades. Chippers'/Grinders' goggles provide protection from flying particles. A dual protective eyecup houses impact resistant clear lenses with individual cover plates. 

Face Shields

Face shields provide additional protection to the eyes and face when used in combination with safety glasses or splash goggles. Face shields consist of an adjustable headgear and face shield of tinted or clear lenses or a mesh wire screen. They should be used in operations when the entire face needs protection and should be worn to protect the eyes and face from flying particles, metal sparks, and chemical/biological splashes. Face shields with a mesh wire screen are not appropriate for use with chemicals. Face shields must not be used alone and are not a substitute for appropriate eyewear. Face shields should always be worn in conjunction with a primary form of eye protection such as safety glasses or goggles.

Welding Shields

Welding shields are similar in design to face shields but offer additional protection from infrared or radiant light burns, flying sparks, metal splatter, and slag chips encountered during welding, brazing, soldering, resistance welding, bare or shielded electric arc welding, and oxyacetylene welding and cutting operations.

Equipment fitted with appropriate filter lenses must be used to protect against light radiation. Tinted and shaded lenses are not filter lenses unless they are marked or identified as such. 

LASER Eye Protection

A single pair of safety glasses is not available for protection from all LASER outputs. The type of eye protection required is dependent on the spectral frequency or specific wavelength of the laser source. If you have questions on the type of eyewear that should be worn with your specific LASER, contact the LASER Safety Officer at EHS at askEHS@cornell.edu. See the LASER Hazards section for more information.