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What are eye protection requirements – clinical vs construction?

Whether working in a laboratory or construction setting, Ohio workers should be educated about the protective eyewear requirements.

Workers in Ohio are required to follow federal safety standards when doing any kind of job that risks eye injury or infection. These standards are distinct for those working in a laboratory setting as opposed to a construction setting. The important point for people to keep in mind is that the same type of safety goggles that one might wear at a construction site will not offer the necessary protection for working in a lab with infectious or toxic agents, and the opposite holds true as well. Knowing what to expect can help prevent someone from making a grave mistake leading to unwanted injury on the job.

Eye protection requirements in construction

Whether working in construction, maintenance or any other kind of job with debris and sparks that could hurt the eyes, it is important for employees to be knowledgeable about what the OSHA requires for eye protection to be considered sufficient. Those who are working in areas where there is radiant light energy, such as arc welding, will need to get protective eyewear that provides shading proportional to the intensity of the light emitted, in order to prevent possible blinding. Those working in an area with flying debris will need to have protection that covers the sides of their eyes in addition to the front. Regardless of where someone is working, if they are wearing prescription contact lenses, they must have protection that is designed to accommodate the lenses without disturbing vision.

Eye protection requirements in clinical/laboratory settings

There is a greater variance in types of protection used in situations where there may be infectious agents, but the primary criterion is that the protection is adequate to prevent contamination. For those working in situations where full facial respirators are required, sufficient eye protection is typically integrated into this type of equipment. It is not recommended to use safety glasses, as while they can do a good job of deflecting debris, they do not have the proper level of sealing to prevent splashing or droplets from getting into the eyes.

The two most common types of protection worn in these environments are face shields and goggles. Face shields need to wrap fully from ear to ear and from crown to chin, while goggles should be sealed airtight. Goggles can be equipped with a layer that prevents fogging, allowing for optimal visibility and protection.

Anyone working in Ohio who has sustained an injury to their eye while working in hazardous conditions may be paying expensive medical bills and could be dealing with pain and suffering. Consulting an attorney in the local areas who practices personal injury law may be a good way to pursue just financial compensation to cover these costs.