Eye protection
Chemical in the eye: start rinsing immediately, holding the eyelids apart. For a corrosive chemical, rinse for at least 15 minutes and have someone call 112 and ask for Giftinformation while rinsing continues.
Shared safety glasses and goggles for protection against chips, dust and splashes.
Shared hearing and eye protection in the metal workshop
Location | Protection stations in the Metal workshop (pictured) and Wood workshop |
Equipment | Safety glasses and goggles |
Eye-rinsing bottles | Wall holder in the wet room |
Eye shower | Fixed, wall-mounted, just outside the storage room |
Required | Wood room rules require eye protection; also follow the Metal room and machine instructions |
Choosing protection
Task | Protection |
|---|---|
Sawing, drilling, machining and other work with flying chips | Impact-rated safety glasses with side protection |
Fine dust that can get around glasses | Goggles rated for dust and impact |
Mixing, pouring or cleaning with chemicals that may splash | Chemical-splash goggles; check the product's safety data sheet |
Grinding, turning or other work that also threatens the face | A face shield in addition to glasses or goggles |
Machine instructions can require more than this table. Shared equipment is not all rated for the same hazards, so check the markings.
Safety
Ordinary prescription glasses and contact lenses are not eye protection. Use over-glasses goggles or prescription safety eyewear.
Clear workshop glasses do not protect against welding arcs or laser light. Follow the Welding and Lasers instructions and keep guards and enclosures in place.
Wear protection when near someone else's work too.
How to use
Inspect lenses, frames and straps. Set aside cracked, damaged or badly scratched pairs.
Choose a pair that stays in place and gives a clear view. Check that it works with your respirator and hearing protection.
Afterwards, clean the lenses and return the pair to its station. If no shared pair fits, bring your own.
If something gets in your eye
Chemical splash: rinse immediately with a gentle stream of water or eyewash, holding the eyelids apart. Remove contact lenses if it doesn't delay rinsing. Don't stop to find a special solution or the safety data sheet. The bottles get rinsing started; move to the eye shower for sustained rinsing, with someone helping you get there.
Corrosive chemical: rinse for at least 15 minutes. Have someone call 112 and ask for Giftinformation; follow their advice on how long to keep rinsing.
Loose dust: rinse gently and don't rub. Get medical advice if it won't rinse out, or for lasting pain, light sensitivity or reduced vision.
Metal fragment or sharp object: needs an eye specialist immediately. Don't try to remove an embedded object. Call 1177 for directions to the right care.
Know where the rinsing points are before working with chemicals, and keep access to them clear.
Maintenance
Clean lenses with a method suited to their coating. Don't dry-wipe abrasive dust across them.
Report damaged eyewear, used or expired rinsing bottles, and any fault with the eye shower.
Documents
Not yet documented
Whether face shields are kept at the protection stations
Photo of the wood-workshop station and the eye-rinsing points