Face shields are a necessity in many professions and for a variety of tasks within the workplace or at home. OSHA requires the use of face shields when workers are uncovered to flying objects, molten metal, liquid chemical compounds, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gasses or vapors, or potentially hazardous light radiation. Particular jobs requiring using face shields include metal workers, some medical workers, industrial painters and employees in chemical plants. While not all employment and tasks require a face shield, they’re typically neglected and ought to be used more often.
5 Reasons To Use A Face Shield
Flying particles: Mud and other fine materials can fly into your eyes. When using chainsaws, angle grinders or similar energy tools, you need to always use a face shield.
Splash hazards: When dealing with acids, corrosives, chemical adherents or strippers and or with body fluids it is best to wear face shields. Typical safety eyewear doesn’t provide the mandatory liquid splash protection required for these type of hazards.
Extreme heat: When performing furnace upkeep, participating in welding or dealing with any molten substance it’s best to use a face shield. Some face shields, typically employed in foundries, have special coatings to provide extra 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 death! Only specifically designed face shields ought to be used. The Elvex ARC-Shield is an example of a face shield specifically designed to protect in opposition to arc flash.
High-velocity impact hazards: Safety glasses do an important job of protecting your eyes. Nevertheless, they can not protect your face. Plus, safety glasses might fail if hit by an object with enough 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 beneficial to wear safety eyewear underneath your face shield.
Fortunately, safety glasses stopped this broken angle-grinder disk because a face shield should 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 certain your face shield has adequate side protection, especially if you happen to’re working around liquid splash or radiation hazards.
Goggle kinds 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 combine a removable goggle with a face shield. This function provides the ability to switch the goggle if it becomes scratched or damaged. Plus, you could 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 setting you’ll be working in and select 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-entrance designs. Removable face shields enable for easy replacement while lift-entrance styles might be lowered and raised rapidly as the task requires.
Face shield materials is available in polycarbonate, Lexan or wire mesh models. Polycarbonate and Lexan protect in opposition to impacts and are available in clear or tinted versions. Wire mesh face shields are popular with loggers and provide protection from impacts, plus they don’t fog up. Nonetheless, wire mesh face shields should not be used for work involving chemical, liquid splash, or fine dust hazards.
Think Safety Glasses AND Face Shield
Face shields do an excellent job of providing extra eye and face protection from quite a lot of dangers. Nevertheless, you need to always wear safety glasses under your face shield because the underside and sides of face shields typically have gaps. Liquid or debris passing by way of these gaps can contact your eyes, doubtlessly inflicting an injury.
Make sure you take the time to judge the risks in your work space and choose the appropriate eye and face protection.