As previously mentioned, the minimum eye and face PPE is safety spectacles. Prescription glasses must either be fitted with protective devices as shown or used with protective devices designed to be worn over regular prescription eyewear (e.g., goggles).
It is important to note that safety spectacles offer little protection from chemical splashes, sprays, dusts, vapors and aerosols, or projectiles. Therefore, this minimum PPE should only be used when relatively small amounts of chemicals are being handled and the chemicals are not particularly dangerous to the eye.
Goggles should be used when the chemical can cause serious injury to the eye such as corrosives, and the process could result in splashes or sprays, dusts, vapors and aerosols, or projectiles.
As the potential of injury or chemical exposure to the eye and face increases due to the process being performed, face shields should be used. It is important to note that face shields should not be used as the only means of eye protection. That is, a face shield is supplemental to goggles or safety spectacles when eye protection is needed (they must be used in combination).
Examples of where a face shield should be used in combination with goggles include processes where there exists:
- Risk of burns from contact with hot liquids, steam, or cryogens.
- Risk of cuts and abrasions from flying projectiles.
- Risk of injury from failure of a pressurized system.
- Risk of injury from splash of chemicals that cause serious skin/eye damage or are toxic by skin absorption.