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RobMcCarron  
#1 Posted : 11 December 2013 14:14:27(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
RobMcCarron

I am looking for help with the issue of trying to remove mandatory wearing of safety glasses on site and make them task specific .I have looked at the usual changing the type and providing anti mist spray to employees but still they fog up due to physical exertion on site. I have looked at that issue and have carried out a risk assessment on the wearing of these but am looking for any additional help/information that anyone else could give me to support this.
B.Bruce  
#2 Posted : 11 December 2013 14:22:31(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
B.Bruce

Rob,

You might want to move this post to the OSH Discussion Forum for better results/responses.

If your risk assessment indicates that task-specific wearing is sufficient then its just a matter of 'policing' the wearing of them. Easier said than done though.

We, unfortunately, had to go the other way. Policing wasn't working, too many eye injuries, no support from Supervisors/Managers so we introduced a mandatory policy and eye injuries have dropped significantly.

PIKEMAN  
#3 Posted : 12 December 2013 13:38:44(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
PIKEMAN

Do they really fog up or do people just claim this?

As someone who wears glasses and has introduced safety specs on sites I smell a bit of baloney here.
I have worked in a steel works where safety specs are mandatory - the heat is incredible, but people wear them.

I have heard all sorts of rubbish about this - "it gives me headaches" or "it distorts my vision" etc. My response - "really? bad news, bring me a Doctor's or Opticians note to confirm this"...........cue tumbleweed!

There are lots of types of LEP (Light Eye ProtectIion) available. Some are very close fitting if you are concerned about splashing or dust, whilst others are more open and so mist up less or have anti mist specification.

You could try offerring wearers a choice of LEP which meets your criteria.
teh_boy  
#4 Posted : 12 December 2013 16:12:31(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
teh_boy

Pikeman wrote:
Do they really fog up or do people just claim this?

As someone who wears glasses and has introduced safety specs on sites I smell a bit of baloney here.
I have worked in a steel works where safety specs are mandatory - the heat is incredible, but people wear them.

I have heard all sorts of rubbish about this - "it gives me headaches" or "it distorts my vision" etc. My response - "really? bad news, bring me a Doctor's or Opticians note to confirm this"...........cue tumbleweed!

There are lots of types of LEP (Light Eye ProtectIion) available. Some are very close fitting if you are concerned about splashing or dust, whilst others are more open and so mist up less or have anti mist specification.

You could try offerring wearers a choice of LEP which meets your criteria.


In addition to this - are they are also wearing RPE and claiming they are fogging up - if so my money's on the RPE not being appropriately fitted and some training is needed.

Also agree with above post on blanket enforcement - in a previous role in the chemical industry tried task specific but eye injury rate was high - blanket policy = easy to enforce and eye injuries dropped... I too hate blanket policy, but if it works,.....
Blue  
#5 Posted : 13 December 2013 12:34:20(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Blue

Rob

I remember visiting a foundry a few years ago and the chaps in the melting shop were wearing a mesh type safety spec. I've just used a well known search engine and found they are still available. Whether they're suitable for you application is another matter but perhaps worthy of a look. They definitely can't mist up.
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