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Wearing a Face Shield

March 27, 2012 by
Elvex BrushGuard w/27dB NRR Equalizer Earmuffs and Face Shield

Elvex BrushGuard w/27dB NRR Equalizer Earmuffs and Face Shield

Face shields are a requirement in many professions and for a variety of tasks in the workplace. OSHA requires the use of face shields when workers are exposed to flying objects, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation. Specific jobs requiring the use of face shields include welders, some medical workers, industrial painters and workers in chemical plants.

While not all jobs and tasks require a face shield, they are often simply a good idea. The following 5 conditions warrant consideration for the use of face shields.

  1. Flying fragments. This includes dust and other material that can fly into eyes such as when using power tools to cut, shape or remove materials. Individuals using chainsaws should also use face shields like the Evlex BrushGuard with Equalizer Earmuffs and Face Shield or the Elvex ProGuard Loggers Safety Cap.
  2. Chance of Splashing. Those handling acids, corrosives, chemical adherents or strippers and those working with blood and other body fluids should wear face shields. Shields such as the Elvex Clear Hardcoated Lexan Face Shield can help protect against chemical splashes.
  3. Heat. Anyone doing furnace maintenance, engaging in welding or handling any molten substance should use a face shield. Pyramex offers several helmets providing comprehensive face and head protection for these situations. (See How to Choose a Welding Helmet and Basic Welding Safety for more details related to this topic.)
  4. Glare. While many circumstances warrant the need for glare reduction, sports probably provides one of the best examples. For example, face shields worn on football helmets not only help reduce glare, shields such as the Bangerz ProVU Smoke Flexible Football Eyeshield can also help protect against a variety of other factors.
  5. Impact. Face shields can provide additional protection against impact. However, OSHA does not recommend that workers rely on them solely for this purpose. Instead, wearing impact safety eyewear below the shield is a good idea to ensure protection against impact hazards.

In addition to the above, there are a number of considerations to take into account when deciding on the type of face shield to use as well as the features to include. Consider the following 5 options when choosing a face shield.

  1. Side shields on face shields provide increased protection. Those working with heat should definitely use side shields, but really any task where material could be flying around warrants using side shields. Many face shields come with protection for the sides of the face.
  2. Goggle styles such as the Jackson MonoShield with Goggles provide another option for face protection for those working in clean rooms, public utilities, metal processing, foundries, mining, construction and more.
  3. Headgear with face shields usually comes in adjustable styles. Hard hat designs such as the Elvex UltiMate Standard Ratchet Headgear for Universal Face Shields and the Elvex UltiMate Heavy Duty Ratchet Headgear for Universal Face Shields provide head and face protection. Hard hat designs can come with shields that are either plastic or wire-screen and lift-front or removable. Face shields with headgear typically include straps that are adjustable to fit an individual user, allowing face shields to be easily shared between individuals.
  4. Windows are available in removable or lift-front design. Removable windows allow for easy replacement while lift-front styles can be lowered and raised easily as the task requires.
  5. Window material comes in plastic or wire-screen models. Plastic protects against light impact and is available in clear or filtered. Wire-screen windows may include a glass or plastic insert and can protect against moderate impact, but they are not recommended for work involving chemical or liquid hazards.

For many tasks, a face shield is an absolute must. And while face shields provide a great deal of protection for the face with regard to elements such as heat, chemical splash and dust, shields DO NOT provide complete protection against impact hazards. For this reason, OSHA recommends wearing safety glasses below face shields for comprehensive impact protection.

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Spring Break Sunglasses: Protect Your Eyes and Look Good at the Same Time

March 16, 2012 by
Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ Sunglasses with Polished White Frame and Black Iridium Lens

Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ Sunglasses with Polished White Frame and Black Iridium Lens

Spring is almost here, and for many people that means time to make plans for a Spring Break trip. The most popular trip destinations are those that are warm and sunny, yet destinations involving mountains and skiing are appealing to many people as well. Regardless of the destination, chances are good that Spring Break will involve being outside as much as possible and possibly going on a long road trip. For these reasons, one essential activity before going on that vacation is to make sure your eyes are not only well protected by quality sunglasses but that you look good wearing them too.

Most people don’t realize we are exposed to ultraviolet rays, of which sunlight is the main source, not just on sunny days but also on overcast days as well. Glare and reflection give added trouble, so wearing quality sunglasses is important when spending time on snow and in or on the water and also when driving. Really, benefit is gained by wearing quality sunglasses during pretty much any outdoor activity.

So what qualifies as quality sunglasses? Can the same sunglasses that provide ultimate eye protection against UV rays also be fashionable? The following are 5 tips for choosing quality sunglasses for your Spring Break trip that also look great on you.

  1. Look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UV light. Fashionable options are widely available in a variety of quality brands including Oakley, Revo, Tapout , Gatorz. These glasses not only provide the ultimate in sun protection, but they come in the most up-to-date fashions as well.
  2. Consider wraparound sunglasses that provide additional protection by preventing harmful UV rays from entering around the frame. Options abound in wraparound sunglasses coming from a variety of makers such as Bangerz, Gatorz and Bobster.
  3. Choose polarized lenses if possible. Polarized lenses provide comprehensive eye protection and increase visibility. They are especially helpful when glare is a problem, such as when driving or spending time on or near water.
  4. Take time to choose the right lens tint. Black? Yellow? Orange? Rose? Brown? Blue? Not sure what lens tint will suit your needs? Check out this Sport Sunglasses Lens Tint Guide from the eye experts at All About Vision. Then, check out the variety of choices offered in a variety of price ranges by Oakley, Revo, Tapout and Gatorz and others.
  5. Consider options for variable conditions. Many situations, such as snow skiing and golf, present a variety of eye-protection and visibility needs. So, having sunglasses that come with interchangeable lenses can be a great choice. Oakley offers a variety of fashion sunglasses with interchangeable lenses, including the Fast Jacket, Fast Jacket XL, Jawbone, and Split Jacket. These sunglasses that come with more than one lens type that can be switched out based on the conditions. (See the article Experts Guide to Skiing Sunglasses Lens Tint to learn when to wear what lens tint when snow skiing.)

Sunglass options also exist for special needs including over-prescription sunglasses, ballistic sunglasses that meet military standards, safety sunglasses that are impact resistant, and bifocal sunglasses. With all the options available, no excuse exists for not wearing proper eyewear that protects against sun damage.

Whatever lens tint or frame style you choose, always make quality a priority when choosing a pair of sunglasses. While available in abundance, Cheap Sunglasses Actually End Up Costing You More in the Long Run. Spending more on quality sunglasses such as those referred to throughout this article will contribute greatly to your eye health over your lifetime.

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Spring Clean Your Chimney: A Clean Sweep for Safety

March 6, 2012 by
Chimney Sweep Safety

Clean safely – always wait about 24 hours after the last use before you attempt to clean the chimney.

Spring has a wonderful sense of renewal to it, so it’s no wonder you’ll find many a home owner and renter taking advantage of those Spring showers days and cleaning the house from head-to-toe. If you have a chimney in your home, it’s high time you performed a regular chimney cleaning, especially if you’ve been burning cozy fires all winter long. Cleaning your chimney is never quite a welcome task, but just as we want you to be safe in all your weekend warrior tasks, we want you and your family to be safe from the risk of carbon monoxide, too!

Chimney Cleaning Safety Supplies

The first step to ridding your chimney of excess soot and creosote is to: read the directions! It’s tempting to just grab the supplies and get on up in there, but it’s going to be a whole lot easier to get the in-the-know tips from someone who has done it before, or read an instructional manual. In addition to all the supplies you’ll need to clean the chimney, think safety – you’ll need safety goggles to protect your eyes from soot falling around you, DeWalt gloves built for tricky jobs like this, and a particulate respirator so you don’t breathe in all that soot, either!

Chimney Cleaning Tips and Tricks

  1. One of the best ways to make cleaning the chimney as painless as possible is prevention: dust the hearth weekly. This prevents soot from building up in the future, allowing for an easier chimney cleaning next time around.
  2. Clean safely – always wait about 24 hours after the last use before you attempt to clean the chimney. Wearing safety equipment, like safety goggles, gloves, and a respirator, might seem like it’ll get in the way of getting the job done, but you won’t have to worry about dust irritating your eyes or coughing and blowing soot all around you. Safety will simplify your chimney cleaning.
  3. Creosote is one type of chimney build-up – and very dangerous. It’s highly flammable, and can quickly lead to a fire in your chimney. Prevent creosote build-up by burning only well-dried wood intended to be used in your fireplace.
  4. Minimize soot build-up. Although it’s considered a normal build-up in your chimney, you can still take steps to minimize the amount of soot in your chimney. First, never pour water over burning embers – it’ll simply create a shower of ashes, plastering them on the walls of your chimney. Same goes for abrasive cleaners – you may think they’ll make chimney cleaning a whole lot easier, but they’ll actually lay the foundation for a dangerous chimney fire.

We’ll be Spring cleaning the Safety Glasses USA offices and the chimneys in our own homes, and you can bet we’ll be following these chimney cleaning safety tips and making it, well, a clean sweep! Make a commitment to keep chimney dust out of your eyes by wearing safety goggles – and build-up out of your chimney – this Spring.

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