Campus Safety and Security

Eye Protection Policy

Section:	Campus Safety and Security Policies
Policy Name:	Eye Protection Policy
Policy Owner:	Executive Vice President
Responsible University Office:	Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Origination Date:	May 5, 1982
Revisions:	June 5, 1989; November 1992; May 1, 1996; January 10, 2006; February 10, 2014
Legacy Policy Number:	7-23

1. PURPOSETo establish an eye protection policy that protects the University community from the hazards which can lead to eye injuries.
2. SCOPE AND APPLICATIONThis policy applies to all University personnel, contract personnel, and visitors in applicable University facilities and/or University operations.
3. POLICY
   1. Deans, directors, chairpersons, principal investigators, laboratory instructors, and line supervisors shall assure compliance with this policy. Individuals responsible for assuring compliance with this policy shall correct infractions upon detection. Disciplinary actions shall be taken as needed.
   2. Each college, school, department, division or unit shall provide or otherwise make available to each employee required to wear eye protection the devices commensurate with the activity and hazard involved. Students may be required to purchase their own eye protection devices. For information regarding a purchase agreement for safety glasses, contact the Procurement Services at ext. 2161 or at Procurement Services.
   3. All eye protection devices used must be American National Standards Institute Z87.1 approved. This can be determined by checking for an ANSI Z87 or Z87 stamp on the frame of the glasses or goggles.
   4. Departments should develop positive reinforcement programs to encourage employees to comply with the established eye protection equipment requirements.
4. EYE PROTECTION AREAS
   1. Eye protection shall be utilized by all individuals, including contractors, in University facilities and/or operations in which activities take place involving:
      1. Gas or electric arc welding;
      2. Hot molten metals;
      3. Heat treating, tampering or kiln firing of any metal or other material;
      4. Corrosive, toxic or explosive material;
      5. Compressed gases;
      6. UV lights and laser unless exempted by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety;
      7. Chemicals: liquid and/or solid;
      8. Unsealed sources of radioactive material;
      9. Infectious and potentially infectious materials;
      10. Milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, grinding or stamping of any solid material;
      11. Repair or servicing of mechanical equipment which is reasonably anticipated as hazardous to the eye;
      12. Custodial, groundskeeping or other service activity reasonably anticipated as hazardous to the eye;
      13. Sports related activities which place the eye at risk to impact. Appropriate nationally recognized sporting associations can serve as a source of generally accepted standards for eye protection equipment;
      14. Any other operation involving mechanical or physical activities that are reasonably anticipated as hazardous to the eye.
   2. Every person shall wear eye protection devices when entering, participating in, observing or performing any function in connection with, any course or activity taking place in eye protection areas as defined above. Persons covered include, without limitation, administrators, faculty, staff, students, contractors, other employees, and visitors.
   3. University personnel shall follow this policy when conducting University sponsored activities at other locations.
   4. Chemical goggles shall be utilized when there is a liquid splash, spray or mist hazard. Exceptions to this requirement must be approved by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
   5. Safety glasses shall be worn at all times in those University laboratories where eye hazards exist.
   6. Photographs taken for public relations purposes must reflect appropriate levels of eye protection for the tasks demonstrated to reflect compliance with the requirements of this policy even if the pictures are staged with non-hazardous materials.

For additional information visit Environmental Health and Safety web site.