3.3 Eye Protection
Eye Protection in Laboratory and Animal Research Spaces
Eye protection is one of the most critical and easily implemented forms of personal protective equipment (PPE) in laboratory and animal research environments. As part of Cornell’s baseline PPE expectations, laboratory personnel, animal care staff, and visitors are required to wear appropriate eye protection at all times when working in or entering laboratory spaces, vivaria, and aquatic research facilities.
For the purposes of laboratory safety, hazards are considered present when they exist in the environment or could reasonably result in exposure, regardless of whether they are actively in use. This includes materials in storage, open containers, shared equipment, and ongoing or adjacent work activities. Laboratory and animal research environments should therefore be treated as hazard-present spaces unless they have been specifically designated and managed as non-laboratory areas.
Eye protection is required throughout time spent in these spaces due to the potential for a wide range of biological, chemical, and physical hazards, including but not limited to:
- Acids, caustic substances, or other chemical liquids
- Biological materials, including animal fluids and microorganisms
- Water or liquid splashes from tanks, hoses, or equipment
- Flying particles or broken glass
- Hot liquids or heated equipment
- Potentially injurious light radiation
Eye protection is required not only during active work with these hazards but throughout time spent in these environments. Engineering controls such as fume hood sashes or biosafety cabinet windows provide important protection but are not failsafe. Eye protection provides an additional and necessary layer of protection against unexpected exposures.
Principal Investigators and laboratory supervisors are responsible for ensuring that appropriate eye protection is available, that personnel are trained in its proper use, and that baseline PPE expectations are consistently followed within their laboratories and animal facilities.
Additional information can be found on the OSHA Eye and Face Protection and EHS Eye Protection in Laboratory Spaces webpage.