Forest Resources Association: Loss Control Overviews

Loss Control Overviews Online
Southwide Safety Committee
Forest Resources Association Inc.

SAFETY GLASSES SAVE EYES!
Number 32

Revised November 17, 2003

Nearly all eye injuries could have been eliminated by the use of eye protection. Protect your eyes! The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires the use of eye protection on logging operations. OSHA requires employers to provide eye protection to all employees and visitors. Safety glasses are one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect against hazards encountered in the woods.

Eye protection compliance is the responsibility of the logging operation's owner and the on-site supervisor. Several tips to encourage the use of safety glasses are:

Include an eye protection policy in your safety manual that requires all employees to use safety glasses while at work. Make no exceptions where eye hazards exist.
Lead by example. If you are not wearing your safety glasses, your employees will not wear theirs.
Safety glasses are made in numerous styles and colors. Make several choices available to your employees, and let them pick out the styles they like. By involving employees in the selection process, they will be more likely to wear them.
Safety glasses are impact resistant. They will not break into splinters and puncture a person's eye or lacerate their face. Regular sunglasses or prescription glasses are not a safe substitute for safety glasses. (However, prescription safety glasses meeting ANSI Z287.1 requirements (2003) can be purchased.)
Safety glasses treated with special anti-fogging agents are available.
Truck drivers are not exempt from the eye protection policy. They encounter eye protection hazards on the log deck, during load binding (or tarping), and during unloading at millyards.
Maintain an adequate supply of safety glasses. Replace scratched or damaged glasses.
In 2003, ANSI revised the eye protection standard to create two classifications for safety glasses: those with basic impact lenses and those with high impact lenses. Loggers are required to wear safety glasses with high impact lenses.

The use of safety glasses is an effective, inexpensive way to protect yourself and your employees.

Forest Resources Association Inc.
600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 350, Rockville, Maryland 20852
Phone: (301) 838-9385 Fax: (301) 838-9481