YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY
  DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL
        HEALTH AND SAFETY

PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR POLICY FOR NON-ACADEMIC AREAS

The use of protective eyewear by University employees engaged in any activity where the threat of injury to the eye from chemicals, light, flying debris, or any other hazard that may occur is mandatory.  Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to, those listed below.

Welding, chipping, grinding, pruning

Use of chisels and gouges

Pouring or spraying of chemical products

Use of air tools

Working overhead (i.e. installing/removing ceiling tiles)

Driving vehicles with no wind shields

Use of power equipment such as:

a.           table saws

b.           radial arm saws

c.           circular saws

d.           drills and drill presses

e.           routers

f.           planers

g.           joiners

f.           sand blasters

h.           lathes

i.           weed whackers

j.           lawn mowers

k.           snow blowers

l.           sanders

Realizing that it is impossible to list every instance where protective eyewear is necessary, it is the University's position that employees should exercise good judgment and take a very conservative approach to eye safety.  In other words, WHEN IN DOUBT, WEAR EYE PROTECTION. 

It will be the responsibility of each department to assure that its employees have the protective eyewear necessary to perform their jobs in a safe manner.  In general, this means that safety glasses must conform to the American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) standard Z87.1-1989.  This standard covers all areas of eyewear safety including impact, chemical, light, etc.  In areas where chemicals are being used, only eyewear approved for that type environment should be worn.  The same is true for areas such as welding--only eyewear approved for welding applications is appropriate.  Regular prescription glasses do not meet this standard and are not to be worn unless goggles which do conform to the standard are worn over top of the prescription glasses.  If multiple hazards are present, eyewear must be worn which protects against all potential hazards.   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.  EOHS will be happy to assist you in making this decision based on the ANSI standard if you are in doubt.

 The ultimate responsibility for wearing appropriate protective eyewear rests with each individual employee.  It will be the responsibility of the immediate supervisor to make sure that the proper protective eyewear is available.  It will also be the responsibility of the supervisor to make sure that this policy is enforced.  Once it is discovered that an employee is not wearing the proper protective eyewear, it is the responsibility of the supervisor to take appropriate corrective action.  Under no circumstances, however, should employees be allowed to continue to work without proper protective eyewear.

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 or use of protective eyewear should be directed to the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety.

REVISED July 2002