Coshh Advice - Personal Protective Equipment (ppe) - Eye And Face Protection

It is an employers responsibility to provide employees with personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with CoSHH regulation.

According to the HSE Regulations PPE is defined as 'all equipment which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work and which protects him against one or more risks to health or safety' for example,gloves,safety helmets,eye protection,high visibility clothing and safety footwear.

This article specifically looks at PPE and eye and face protection.

There are three alternative types of eye and face protection.

These are:

Safety spectacles - May look like separate lenses in a frame (similar to prescription glasses) or may be worn over ordinary spectacles (Eye shields). These are suitable for workshop or laboratory use for protection against light chemical splashes.

Goggles - These have a flexible plastic frame with an elastic headband. They give complete protection to the eyes and the rim is flush to the face. Some goggles are vented but are not recommended in case of dangerous chemical splash or protection against gases and fine dusts. Vented goggles are a better option in these circumstances but they may be prone to misting up.

Face shields - They have a single large lens with a frame and modifiable head harness or are fixed to a helmet. They protect the whole face as well as the eyes although they do not fully enclose the eyes. As such, they don't provide protection against dusts and gases.

Some examples of CoSHH hazards requiring the use of eye and face protection:

-Splashes from chemicals as a result of contact with certain substances

-Working with tools which generate dust or debris that could fly into the face

-Mist from machines using gas or vapour under pressure or high-pressure cleaning machines

-Intense heat or light and radiation from lasers or from welding and ovens

Maintenance of the eye and face protection:

It is important that the eye/face protection fits the user and does not fall off. Safety glasses and goggles should be issued on a personal basis.

Do not use when the lenses are dirty or scratched as this will impair vision leading to eye strain and possible accidents.

Before the lenses are issued to another user they should be wet cleaned and stored in a protective case.

Consider misting/fogging of the lenses. Anti-mist and ventilated eye protection is an alternative option.

Replace face shields should they become worn and replace them.

The above guide falls in line with CoSHH procedure which protects employees from health and safety risks at work.