Eye protection

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1. What is it for?

Your eyes need to be protected against a wide range of hazards, including impact from: 

• high-speed flying particles; and
• molten metal or hot solids, 
  and penetration by: 
  • dust;
  • gas; and
  • chemicals.

Any of these can cause serious, usually irreversible, damage to your eyesight. This is why your administration is required to provide you with eye protection if there is a risk of any of them occurring in the course of your work. 

2. What types are available?

Eye protection comes in three basic types: 

• safety spectacles with toughened glass or acetate lenses;
• goggles with acetate or polycarbonate lenses; and
• visors which clip on to the standard safety helmet.

Eye protection may also be incorporated into respiratory protection.

All forms of eye protection must satisfy national standards or European norms. The lenses come in different grades, depending on the level of protection required: 

• against chemicals, dust or gas;
• against impact from flying particles;
• combined protection.

Eye protection has to pass rigorous tests in order to satisfy the requirements of European norm EN 166. 

3. What are its limitations?

• Spectacles may well provide protection against flying particles, but will not necessarily provide the required protection against chemicals, dust or gas.
• Goggles must be marked with the appropriate grade under EN166 if they are to provide adequate protection.

4. Where must eye protection be worn?

If you are likely to be exposed to any of the hazards listed above, you should wear appropriate eye protection. Examples are: 

• when testing road fuel, where you must wear safety goggles if you have to handle potentially hazardous chemicals;
• when using a drug testing kit; and
• when examining chemicals or dusty goods at import/export.

The sign here be displayed at places where you are required to wear eye protection. 

5. How do I look after it?

All eye protection is best stored in its original packaging when not in use, so that the lenses do not get scratched. For the same reason do not place eye protection on abrasive or hot surfaces.

Keep eye protection clean, but do not use strong detergents or abrasive cloths, etc. on it. Lenses are best cleaned using a soft tissue and occasionally treated with a de-misting fluid.

The guidance contained in this section intended to serve as a general reminder of the risks that are sometimes encountered during the examination and sampling procedure and of the safety equipment that you should use and precautions that you should take.
You must refer to the legislation and the guidance of your national administration for more information.