SafetyNet #5 - Eye and Face Safety Protection for Laboratory Workers
Everyone working in laboratories on the UC Davis Campus is required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment. Collectively known as PPE, these items are intended to minimize exposure or injury to laboratory students, visitors and employees.
Variable Working Situations
In locations where there is a risk of injury to the face or eye, face/eye protective devices must be worn. Due to the variability in laboratory work, procedure specific hazard analysis should be performed to identify PPE needed by laboratory workers. Job specific PPE requirements should be maintained in the laboratory’s Chemical Hygiene Plan for ready access by laboratory students, visitors and employees.
Effective eye and face protection device requirements can differ between, or within a laboratory. When laboratory procedures require the use of eye or face protection everyone in the laboratory, including those wearing contact lenses or other corrective eyewear, must wear the required protective devices. If laboratory procedures call for a face shield, safety glasses or gogglesmust also be worn (ANSI 287.1)(OSHA Title 8, Section 3382). For example, when working with a corrosive everyone in the laboratory should wear goggles and/or a face shield.
Eye and Face Protection
Please refer to SafetyNet #73, “Laser Protective Eyewear” and SafetyNet #106, “Hazards of Ultraviolet Radiation” to select protective eyewear when working with lasers or UV light.
Special Considerations for Eyeglass and Contact Lens Users
Employees wearing corrective eyeglasses or sunglasses, and those wearing contact lenses should follow these recommendations:
- Do not handle or store contact lenses in laboratories in areas where chemical, biohazard, or radiological materials are used or stored.
- Do not insert contacts in areas where chemical, biohazard, or radiological materials are used or stored.
- Certain chemicals should not be used when wearing contact lenses. If you need medical advice about wearing contact lenses in areas where chemicals are stored and/or used, contact Occupational Health Services at 530-752-2330 (campus) or 916-734-3572 (UCDHS) for recommendations on appropriate eye protection.
- Contact lens wearers should inform their supervisor and co-workers that they wear contact lenses
The UC Davis Policy and Procedure 290-50 further describes campus policies relating to protective clothing and equipment for the workplace. For additional information, contact your EH&S Safety Advisor, EH&S at (530) 752-1493 or ehsdesk@ucdavis.edu.
Reviewed/Revised. 8/2008
GW