YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH AND SAFETY

PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR POLICY FOR ACADEMIC LABORATORIES¹

Protective eyewear is required in laboratories using chemicals, etiologic agents, lasers, or laboratories engaged in the dissection of animals, whenever there is the threat of eye injury from flying debris, or when any other hazard becomes imminent. Eye protection must be worn the entire time the person is in these types of laboratories, or as long as the potential for eye injury is present. Individuals who supervise these laboratories are responsible for making sure that this policy is enforced. No one should be allowed to work in these laboratories without proper protective eyewear.

The minimum  protective eyewear used in these laboratories should be glasses that are equipped with side shields. They should conform to the American National Standard Institute's (ANSI) standard Z87.1‑1989 for protection against the particular type of hazard present. In some instances full face shields or chemical goggles may be required if there is the threat of large quantities of debris and/or chemicals contacting the face. Regular prescription lenses are not suitable unless goggles that fit over the top of the prescription glasses,  or protective eyewear which meet the ANSI Z87.1‑1989 are worn over the top of the prescription lenses,  or prescription lenses conforming to the ANSI Z87.1-1989 standard are worn.  If multiple hazards are present, eyewear must be worn which protects against all potential hazards.   Individuals working in laboratories engaged in the use of lasers must wear glasses designed to protect against the specific type of laser being used.  Decisions regarding the type of protective eyewear to be used should be made by referring to the chart on pages 16 and 17 of the ANSI Z87.1-1989 standard.

Protective eyewear must be worn the entire time the individual is in the laboratory and the threat of eye injury is present. Only in those laboratories in which no apparent eye hazards are present may individuals work without protective eyewear. The decision as to whether or not protective eyewear is needed in a particular laboratory and/or the type of protective eyewear needed must be made at the departmental level using the charts on pages 16 and 17 of the ANSI Z87.1-1989 standard as a reference.  EOHS will be happy to assist you in making this determination based on the ANSI standard if you are in doubt.  Laboratory instructors may use their discretion in allowing students to remove their eyewear during a remaining laboratory period if potential eye hazards are no longer present in the laboratory. Caution should be used, however, in making this decision. For example, if just one student is working with hazardous chemicals, all students should be wearing protective eyewear.

Students should be informed in the class syllabus that protective eyewear is required in the laboratory. If students are responsible for providing their own protective eyewear this should be noted on the booklist for the course.  Graduate students and those working on independent research projects should be informed by the instructor if protective eyewear is required.

A copy of the  entire ANSI  Z87.1-1989  standard is available for your reference in the department of EOHS.  Copies of the chart on pages 16 and 17 of the standard are available from you department head or can be obtained from EOHS.

Any questions regarding the need for protective eyewear should be directed to the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety.

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  ¹Includes all laboratories in the following areas: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health Professions, All Engineering Departments, Geology, Art, Photography, and Theater.

REVISED July 2002