The 'Eyes' Have it at ASSE

Feb. 11, 2002
The ASSE, the secretariat for the ANSI standard z87.1-1989, Eye and Face Protection, is reminding everyone to wear proper eye protection both at work and at home.

'

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) is reminding everyone to wear eye protection at home and at work.

According to the National Society to Prevent Blindness, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving sight, more than 1,000 eye injuries of all types occur every day in the U.S., with 100,000 of them resulting in some vision loss every year. At work, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that three out of five workers who suffered an eye injury did not wear eye protection, and of those who did, 40 percent wore the wrong kind.

ASSE has a vested interest in eye protection. The organization is the secretariat for the American National Standard Institute''s Eye and Face Protection standard Z87.1-1989 (revised -1998), "Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection." The standard provides requirements for the workplace to assure angular protection, in addition to frontal protection and is included in several state and federal regulations. It applies to occupational and educational environments where eye and face hazards exist.

There are other guidelines available to help pick the best eye protection for the hazards involved. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards require that employers provide workers with suitable eye protection. For information on these standards check www.osha.gov in the technical section. Also, check the National Society to Prevent Blindness for more information on effective eye safety by calling 1-800-331-2020 or www.preventblindness.org.

The Z87.1 - 1989 (R-1998) standard, outlined in a well-illustrated handbook, is available to the public for $34 by contacting ASSE''s [email protected] or by going online at www.asse.org, note order 3322. ASSE members can purchase it for $22.

Eye safety isn''t just important at work. ASSE encourages home-repair hobbyists and do-it-yourselfers to be cautious. Workshops have hazards such as solvents, adhesives, paints, and dyes that contain harmful chemicals that can threaten your eyes. Splashes, spills and fumes can injure or irritate exposed eyes. ASSE cautions wearing the proper eye protection: goggles for working with solvents, adhesives, etc., and full-face shields for work with grinders and equipment that result in chips and flying objects.

For further information, see the related article "How Much Eye Protection Is Enough?"

by Sandy Smith ([email protected])

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

Sponsored Recommendations

Navigating ESG Risk in Your Supply Chain

Sept. 26, 2024
Discover the role of ESG in supply chains, from reducing carbon footprints to complying with new regulations and enhancing long-term business value.

Best Practices for Managing Subcontractor Risk

Sept. 26, 2024
Discover how to effectively manage subcontractor risk with unified strategies, enhanced oversight, and clear communication for consistent safety and compliance.

Fitting in Fast: Making a Safe Workplace for New Hires

Sept. 12, 2024
Over a third of nonfatal injuries happen to workers who have been with their current employer for less than a year.

Top 10 Causes of Distracted Driving—and What They All Have in Common

Aug. 27, 2024
The results reveal the top ten causes of distracted driving, and make it clear that not all distractions are created equal.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!