Face shields are a necessity in many professions and for a wide range of tasks in the workplace or at home. OSHA requires the use of 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. Specific jobs requiring using 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 typically overlooked and should be used more often.
5 Reasons To Use A Face Shield
Flying particles: Mud and other fine supplies can fly into your eyes. When utilizing chainsaws, angle grinders or similar energy tools, it’s best to always use a face shield.
Splash hazards: When handling 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.
Extreme heat: When performing furnace upkeep, partaking in welding or handling any molten substance it’s best to use a face shield. Some face shields, typically employed in foundries, have particular coatings to provide further protection from extreme 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 needs to be used. The Elvex ARC-Shield is an instance of a face shield specifically designed to protect towards arc flash.
High-velocity impact hazards: Safety glasses do a fantastic job of protecting your eyes. Nonetheless, they can’t protect your face. Plus, safety glasses could fail if hit by an object with enough mass or velocity. Face shields provide an extra stage of protection from high-mass and high-velocity impact hazards. With that being said, it’s always advisable to wear safety eyewear underneath your face shield.
Luckily, safety glasses stopped this damaged 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 intuition to show your face away from an object flying towards you. Nevertheless, this could expose your eyes or face to the incoming hazard. Ensure that your face shield has adequate side protection, especially for those who’re working around liquid splash or radiation hazards.
Goggle types such as 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, you might 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 atmosphere you’ll be working in and select the appropriate headgear system. Most face shield producers provide adapters for mounting their products on hard hats.
Face shields are available in removable or lift-front designs. Removable face shields permit for easy replacement while lift-entrance kinds may be lowered and raised shortly as the task requires.
Face shield material comes 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 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 additional eye and face protection from a variety of dangers. However, you should always wear safety glasses under your face shield because the bottom and sides of face shields typically have gaps. Liquid or debris passing by means of these gaps can contact your eyes, doubtlessly inflicting an injury.
Make sure you take the time to judge the dangers in your work area and select the appropriate eye and face protection.