Safety glasses or goggles will typically be required PPE whenever working with hazardous material, especially when there may be a potential splash hazard.
Safety glasses provide eye protection against minor spills and splashes, as well as some flying objects. However, they typically do not provide adequate protection from significant chemical splashes since they do not seal to the face, resulting in gaps at the top, bottom, and sides where chemicals may seep through.
Additional information about safety glasses includes:
- Eye protection from regular (prescription) glasses is not considered equivalent to that of safety glasses. Prescription safety glasses may be acceptable if they have side shields for splash protection
- Safety glasses should be worn over prescription glasses
- Safety glasses should meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.1 - 2010 standard for impact and shatter resistance and have side shields for splash protection
- Typically, the frame or lenses will be marked with “Z87”
- Safety glasses should be regularly cleaned with an appropriate cleaner and/or disinfectant and replaced when they become too scratched, marked, or damaged to use safely
Safety goggles should form a protective seal around the eyes and prevent objects or liquids from entering under or around the goggles.
They offer side and forward-facing protection and come in various styles for maximum user comfort and splash protection. Some types may be worn over prescription glasses.
Goggles may be required for specific processes where safety glasses are deemed inadequate and when work may involve hazardous liquids that may splash, spray, or mist.
