Selecting Personal Protective Equipment for the Eyes and Face While Working in the Laboratory

Proper protection of the eyes and face is important while working in the laboratory

Hazards to consider:

(1) chemical splash

(2) body fluids splash

(3) cryogenic liquid splash

(4) flying particles

(5) explosion

(6) laser or ultraviolet light

(7) sparks or heated material

Regions to protect:

(1) eyes only

(2) eyes, face and neck

Inadequate Protection	Problems
contact lenses	chemicals can be trapped behind lens, lens may be impossible to remove in the event of a chemical splash, may interfere with eye rinsing
prescription glasses	lenses may not resist impact, frames may not retain lenses, limited splash protection

Exposure	Recommended Protection
low risk of significant exposure	safety glasses with open sides
flying particles to eyes	safety glasses with side panels, impact goggles
body fluid splash to eyes	safety glasses with side panels, splash goggles
flying particles or body fluid to face and neck	face shield
flying particles, body fluid, chemical splash	face shield plus goggles
laser or ultraviolet light	laser or UV goggles
sparks or heated material, eyes	welding or glassblower goggles
sparks or heated material to face	welding mask
explosion	heavy mask

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