I’m in R&D, and we require at a minimum safety glasses with side shields just to enter. The use of goggles will depend on the escalation of procedures being performed, such as pouring of acids or flammable liquids on the open bench. We had an employee about 5 ye ars ago (who was wearing safety glasses with side shields) get sprayed in the e ye area with acetonitrile from a mass spec, when a tube became loose. She wasn ’t working, just walking by it, and fortunately her eye protection saved her f rom potentially serious injury.

About 25 years ago I suffered an eye injury, while not laboratory related, I was able to better understand the impacts of that type of injury. I only had to live with an eye-patch for 6 weeks, and it was horrible. I use that experience to get across the message of the irreplaceable eyes and protecting them at all times and costs.

Set up guidelines/rules for minimum situations and everything to the most extreme (entering a lab to working wi th HF on the open bench). It’s about awareness and education, because yo u can’t stand over everyone all the time.

I would like to receive comments, information ab out current practices, and legal implications regarding eye protection in industrial analytical/RD laboratories. Obviously, OSHA 1910.133(a)(1) appli es but no direction is given. Safety, comfort, and compliance are paramount. T he lab personnel are trained chemists and would handle many different chemical s including both concentrated and dilute acids, bases, and other materials co mmon to analytical techniques. The acids would include hydrofluoric and perchlor ic. No pyrophoric or extremely toxic materials like methyl mercury are involved . Bench top and hood operations are to be considered.

 

There are many combination of PPE but I think th e following 4 include the important possibilities: (1) safety glasses with si de shields, (2) safety glasses with side shields and full face protection, (3) fitted goggles with indirect vents, and (4) fitted goggles without vents.

 

Regards,

Ernie Lippert