Face shields are a necessity in lots of professions and for a variety of tasks in the workplace or at home. OSHA requires using face shields when workers are exposed to flying objects, molten metal, liquid chemical substances, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gasses or vapors, or probably hazardous light radiation. Particular jobs requiring the usage of face shields embrace metal workers, some medical employees, industrial painters and employees in chemical plants. While not all employment and tasks require a face shield, they’re usually ignored and should be used more often.
5 Reasons To Use A Face Shield
Flying debris: Dust and different fine materials can fly into your eyes. When utilizing chainsaws, angle grinders or similar power instruments, you should always use a face shield.
Splash hazards: When dealing with acids, corrosives, chemical adherents or strippers and or with body fluids you should wear face shields. Typical safety eyewear doesn’t provide the mandatory liquid splash protection required for these type of hazards.
Excessive heat: When performing furnace upkeep, partaking in welding or handling any molten substance you need to use a face shield. Some face shields, typically employed in foundries, have particular coatings to provide additional protection from excessive temperatures.
Arc Hazards: Electricians working with high voltage connections want protection from potential arc explosions, which can lead to severe burns and dying! Only specially designed face shields should 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 an incredible job of protecting your eyes. Nevertheless, they cannot protect your face. Plus, safety glasses may fail if hit by an object with enough mass or velocity. Face shields provide an extra level of protection from high-mass and high-velocity impact hazards. With that being said, it’s always beneficial to wear safety eyewear underneath your face shield.
Luckily, 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 might expose your eyes or face to the incoming hazard. Make sure your face shield has adequate side protection, especially when you’re working around liquid splash or radiation hazards.
Goggle types such because the Jackson MonoShield with Goggles or Bolle Atom Shield provide another option for face protection when working in clean rooms, metal processing, foundries, mining, construction and more. These face shields combine a removable goggle with a face shield. This feature provides the ability to exchange the goggle if it becomes scratched or damaged. Plus, it’s possible you’ll find 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 surroundings 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 allow for easy replacement while lift-front kinds will be lowered and raised quickly because the task requires.
Face shield material is available in polycarbonate, Lexan or wire mesh models. Polycarbonate and Lexan protect towards impacts and are available in clear or tinted versions. Wire mesh face shields are standard with loggers and provide protection from impacts, plus they don’t fog up. Nonetheless, wire mesh face shields shouldn’t be used for work involving chemical, liquid splash, or fine mud hazards.
Think Safety Glasses AND Face Shield
Face shields do an excellent job of providing further eye and face protection from a wide range of dangers. However, it’s best to 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, potentially inflicting an injury.
Ensure you take the time to evaluate the risks in your work area and choose the appropriate eye and face protection.