Eye protection
Guidance on eye protection including how to order prescription safety spectacles.
Eye Protection
It is essential to wear suitable eye protection in chemical laboratories at all times. All laboratories where corrosive or toxic materials are being handled in open vessels, or where there is a risk from flying particles or fragments, must be designated as Eye Protection Zones and a mandatory notice requiring eye protection to be worn must be displayed at each entrance door. It is an offence to enter an area designated as an eye protection Zone without wearing eye protection. The legal requirements for eye protection are contained in the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations.
Safety spectacles provide only the minimum protection from unexpected hazards, and should not be seen as an adequate substitute for goggles. However modern close fitting wrap around profiled spectacles are a reasonable substitute, except where the hazard includes flying debris (impact), when goggles or an impact resistant face shield should be used, or when working with corrosive or cryogenic liquids, likely to splash when a full face shield should be worn. All eye protectors used in University laboratories must conform to the relevant European Standard EN 166, or be CE marked to the British Standard BS2092.2.
Persons wearing contact lenses are at particular risk from splashes of chemical substances and must wear extra eye protection. Contact lens wearers are also advised to inform their School Safety Adviser and local first aider that they wear contact lenses, since the presence of these lenses may complicate first aid to the eyes.
All chemical laboratories are legally required to have eye wash facilities, in this University these should be in the form of a mains water eye shower that can also double as a limb shower in case of spills to body parts. Laboratory staff should be instructed in the correct use of the eye wash facilities available and they must be tested at regular intervals to ensure that they are working and that any debris accumulated on the shower head is flushed. These tests should be logged. The use of disposable eye wash containers of sterile water is to be discouraged as they are often found to be date expired, or are not replenished after use.
Prescription safety spectacles and goggles
Arrangements have been made with Rodger & Smalridge, 1 Goldenacre Terrace, Edinburgh, (telephone 552 5160) to provide University Schools and Support Groups with an economical and efficient service for the provision of prescription lens safety spectacles.
The complete service, from initial eye testing to the final fitting of the spectacles to the wearer’s satisfaction, will be provided by the Optician and one purchase order will cover the cost of the eyesight test (if applicable), the dispensing fee, the manufacturing costs and VAT. The safety glasses will be made in Edinburgh and will thus be available quickly.
Procedure
Schools, etc that, on the basis of a risk assessment, require to provide prescription lens safety glasses for their staff, etc, should follow the procedure in this document.