OSHA's Eye and Face Protection - General Criteria

29 CFR 1910.133 details general and specific requirements for eye and face protection. The employer shall ensure each employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from the following:

• Flying particles
• Molten metal
• Liquid chemicals
• Acids or caustic liquids
• Chemical gases or vapors
• Potentially injurious light radiation

Employers must also ensure the following in regard to eye and face protection:

• Eye protection must provide side protection from flying hazards. (Detachable side protectors, like clip-on or slide-on side shields, are appropriate.)
• All eye and face PPE must be "distinctly marked to facilitate identification of the manufacturer."
• When working with light radiation, all employees must use equipment with filter lenses that have a shade number appropriate for the work being performed for protection from injurious light radiation. 29 CFR 1910.133(a)(5) lists the appropriate shade numbers for various operations.
• An employer may choose to provide one pair of protective eyewear for each position rather than individual eyewear for each employee. If this is done, the employer must make sure that employees disinfect shared protective eyewear after each use.

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