OSHA 1926.102(a)(1): eye and face protection
Under 29 CFR 1926.102(a)(1), the employer must ensure each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.
Official text
(a)(1) The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.Read the full section on eCFR
(a)(2) The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses eye protection that provides side protection when there is a hazard from flying objects. Detachable side protectors (e.g. clip-on or slide-on side shields) meeting the pertinent requirements of this section are acceptable.Read the full section on eCFR
(b)(1) Protective eye and face protection devices must comply with any of the following consensus standards: (i) ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010, Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices, incorporated by reference in § 1926.6; (ii) ANSI Z87.1-2003, Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices, incorporated by reference in § 1926.6; or (iii) ANSI Z87.1-1989 (R-1998), Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection, incorporated by reference in § 1926.6;Read the full section on eCFR
What it requires, in plain English
- Eye or face protection is required whenever a worker is exposed to flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustics, chemical gases or vapors, or injurious light radiation.
- Where there is a hazard from flying objects, the eye protection must provide side protection; clip-on or slide-on side shields meeting the section are acceptable.
- Protectors must comply with ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010, ANSI Z87.1-2003 or ANSI Z87.1-1989 (R-1998).
Where it shows up on site
- Grinding, chipping or cutting concrete without safety glasses
- Prescription or street glasses worn in place of rated eye protection
- Helpers next to welding or torch cutting with no filter lenses or screens
Verify on site before you call it
A photo rarely shows every fact a standard depends on. Confirm these in person before treating the condition as a violation:
- What task is the worker doing, and does it throw particles, splash liquids, or produce welding or cutting light?
- Is the worker actually exposed, or only passing outside the hazard area?
- Are the glasses being worn Z87-marked, with side protection where flying objects are a hazard?
- Does a worker who wears prescription lenses have protection that incorporates the prescription or fits over it?
Typical corrective actions
- Stop the task until each exposed worker has eye or face protection suited to the hazard.
- Issue Z87-marked safety glasses with side protection, and add a face shield over them for grinding, chipping or chemical splash.
- Provide filter lenses or shields of the right shade for welding and cutting, and screen nearby workers.
- Brief the crew on which tasks require eye protection and check compliance at the start of each shift.
Common questions
Do safety glasses need side shields on a construction site?
Yes, when there is a hazard from flying objects. 1926.102(a)(2) requires eye protection with side protection in that case, and detachable clip-on or slide-on side shields that meet the section are acceptable.
Do safety glasses have to meet ANSI Z87.1?
Yes. 1926.102(b)(1) requires eye and face protection devices to comply with ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010, ANSI Z87.1-2003 or ANSI Z87.1-1989 (R-1998).
Turn the observation into a notice
Record what the photo shows, confirm the on-site checks above, and identify the responsible company and due date. Use the fillable construction safety notice template or follow aworked example from observation to verified fix. Cirqify can draft the notice from your circled photo for you to review.
Related standards
This guide summarizes federal OSHA construction standards for general information. It is not legal advice. States with their own OSHA-approved plans may set different or additional requirements; see federal and state coverage.