Face shields are a necessity in many professions and for a variety of tasks within the workplace or at home. OSHA requires using face shields when workers are uncovered to flying objects, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gasses or vapors, or potentially hazardous light radiation. Specific jobs requiring the usage of face shields include metal workers, some medical staff, industrial painters and employees in chemical plants. While not all employment and tasks require a face shield, they’re usually missed and ought to be used more often.
5 Reasons To Use A Face Shield
Flying particles: Mud and different fine materials can fly into your eyes. When utilizing chainsaws, angle grinders or comparable power tools, you should always use a face shield.
Splash hazards: When dealing with acids, corrosives, chemical adherents or strippers and or with body fluids it’s best to wear face shields. Typical safety eyewear doesn’t provide the required liquid splash protection required for these type of hazards.
Excessive heat: When performing furnace upkeep, engaging in welding or handling any molten substance you must use a face shield. Some face shields, typically employed in foundries, have special coatings to provide extra protection from extreme temperatures.
Arc Hazards: Electricians working with high voltage connections need protection from potential arc explosions, which can lead to severe burns and death! Only specially designed face shields must be used. The Elvex ARC-Shield is an instance of a face shield specifically designed to protect against arc flash.
High-velocity impact hazards: Safety glasses do a terrific job of protecting your eyes. Nevertheless, they can’t protect your face. Plus, safety glasses could fail if hit by an object with sufficient mass or velocity. Face shields provide an additional level of protection from high-mass and high-velocity impact hazards. With that being said, it’s always really helpful to wear safety eyewear underneath your face shield.
Fortunately, safety glasses stopped this broken angle-grinder disk because a face shield ought to have been worn.
5 Face Shield Options To Consider
Side protection on face shields provides elevated protection from lateral hazards. It’s a natural instinct to show your face away from an object flying towards you. Nevertheless, this may expose your eyes or face to the incoming hazard. Make certain your face shield has adequate side protection, especially if you’re working round liquid splash or radiation hazards.
Goggle styles such because the Jackson MonoShield with Goggles or Bolle Atom Shield provide one other option for face protection when working in clean rooms, metal processing, foundries, mining, construction and more. These face shields mix a removable goggle with a face shield. This characteristic provides the ability to switch the goggle if it turns into scratched or damaged. Plus, chances are you’ll discover these face shields easier to use in lab environments, because the face shield fits closer to your face.
Headgear – Face shields are typically worn with headgear or mounted to a traditional hard hat. Consider the type of environment you’ll be working in and choose the appropriate headgear system. Most face shield manufacturers provide adapters for mounting their products on hard hats.
Face shields are available in removable or lift-front designs. Removable face shields enable for simple replacement while lift-entrance types will be lowered and raised quickly as the task requires.
Face shield material is available in polycarbonate, Lexan or wire mesh models. Polycarbonate and Lexan protect against impacts and are available in clear or tinted versions. Wire mesh face shields are in style with loggers and provide protection from impacts, plus they don’t fog up. However, wire mesh face shields shouldn’t be used for work involving chemical, liquid splash, or fine dust hazards.
Think Safety Glasses AND Face Shield
Face shields do a wonderful job of providing further eye and face protection from a variety of dangers. Nonetheless, you must always wear safety glasses under your face shield because the underside and sides of face shields typically have gaps. Liquid or debris passing via these gaps can contact your eyes, doubtlessly causing an injury.
Make sure you take the time to evaluate the dangers in your work area and select the appropriate eye and face protection.