Updating OSHA’s Construction Industry Standard for

Eye and Face Protection 29 CFR 1926.102

On September 9, 2009, OSHA made revisions to the general industry,
shipyard employment, marine terminals, and longshoring industries
personal protective equipment standards, which included the
eye-and-face-protection, head-protection, and foot-protection standards
(74 FR 46356).  At that time OSHA did not address the construction
standards requiring personal protective equipment for eye and face
protection, head protection and foot protection.  However, on June 22,
2012, OSHA again updated its personal protective equipment standards for
head protection, which included the construction standard for head
protection (77 FR 37598).  OSHA now is proposing to update its personal
protective equipment standards for eye and face protection, and is
including in the proposal the construction standard as well as the
general industry, shipyard employment, marine terminals, and longshoring
standards.  The construction standard at 29 CFR 1926.102(a)(2) still
requires compliance with ANSI Z87.1-1968.  This consensus standard,
which sets forth requirements regarding different types of eye and face
protection, is out of date.

In view of the limited useful life of eye and face protection and the
length of time (nearly 45 years) since OSHA last updated its
construction standard on eye and face protection, the Agency believes
that no manufacturers of eye-and-face-protection equipment currently
test this equipment in accordance with the requirements of ANSI
Z87.1-1968.  To bring the construction standard up to date and to ensure
consistency across all of OSHA’s standards, OSHA is proposing to amend
29 CFR 1926.6 and 1926.102 to permit compliance with the latest ANSI
standards, Z87.1-2010, Z87.1-2003, or Z87.1-1989 (R-1998).

In updating the OSHA standards for eye and face protection, the Agency
examined the standards for eye and face protection issued by ANSI over
the last 45 years and found that these standards reflect the state of
the art in terms of design safety that existed when ANSI issued them. 
OSHA believes the improvements in the design-safety requirements of each
successive edition of these standards, especially the editions issued by
ANSI in 1989, 2003, and 2010, would enhance employee protection compared
to the ANSI Z87.1-1968 standard. OSHA believes that it is consistent
with the usual and customary practice of employers in the construction
industry to require use of eye and face protection that complies with
ANSI Z87.1-2010, ANSI Z87.1-2003, or ANSI Z87.1-1989 (R-1998), and that
employers in the industry are not using eye and face protection that
complies with the testing requirements of the outdated ANSI Z87.1-1968
standard.  Accordingly, the Agency determined that incorporating the
latest editions of the ANSI Z87.1 standards for eye and face protection
into §1926.102(a)(2) does not add a compliance burden for employers. 
OSHA will invite the public to comment on whether use of eye and face
protection compliant with ANSI Z87.1-2010, ANSI Z87.1-2003, or ANSI
Z87.1-1989 (R-1998) represents current industry practice.

OSHA is considering two options for updating the construction standard
on eye and face protection, and is seeking advice from the Committee on
these options.  See the attachment to this document to review the
proposed regulatory language for these options.  The following
paragraphs provide a brief description of the options.

Option #1	

  The proposal also would remove Table E-1, Eye and Face Protector
Selection Guide, which is specific to the 1968 version of ANSI Z87.1 and
referenced in current paragraph (a)(5).  OSHA will not replace this
table as employers and employees may use any of the three newly
referenced ANSI standards, which contain similar selection guides; these
ANSI standards are ANSI Z87.1-2010, Annex I, Selection Chart, ANSI
Z87.1-2003, Annex I Selection Chart, or ANSI Z87.1-1989(R1998),
Selection Chart.

  	OSHA would retain §1926.102(a)(6) as this provision contains some
regulatory language that does not appear to be in the most recent ANSI
standard, Z87.1-2010.  These provisions specify, among other
requirements, that protectors be capable of being disinfected, easily
cleanable, and durable.  The proposal also would substitute the marking
requirement specified by §1926.102(a)(7) with the marking requirement
in §1910.133(a)(4).  OSHA also would replace the requirement specified
by §1926.102(a)(8) to transmit information to the user about
limitations or precautions for the equipment provided by the
manufacturer, and to strictly observe compliance with these limitations
and precautions, with the requirements of ANSI Z87.1-2010, section 10.2.

	In addition to updating the references to ANSI Z87.1, the language
adopted from the general industry standard would add a provision to the
construction standard that permits an employer to use eye and face
protection not manufactured in accordance with one of the incorporated
ANSI Z87.1 standards if the employer can demonstrate that the eye and
face protection it selects protects employees at least as effectively as
eye and face protection tested and constructed in accordance with one of
the incorporated ANSI Z87.1 standards (i.e., the equivalent-protection
provision).  Currently, the construction standard does not include such
a provision.  However, the general industry, shipyard employment, marine
terminals and longshoring standards do include such a provision (e.g.,
§§ 1910.133(b)(2)).  Therefore, to allow compliance flexibility and
ensure consistency across standards, OSHA is proposing to add identical
language to the construction standard.

	Finally, §1926.102(b) currently in the construction standard would
remain intact and redesignated as paragraph §1926.102(c).  With the
removal of Table E-1 described above, OSHA would renumber Tables E-2 and
E-3 under this paragraph as Tables E-1 and E-2, respectively.

	This option would make the construction eye and face protection
standard nearly identical to the general industry standard, thereby
providing consistency to employers and employees who work in both the
general and construction industries.  In addition, this option would
preserve those provisions that are unique to the construction standard. 

Option #2 

	This option is similar to Option 1, except OSHA would substitute only
current §1926.102(a)(2) with the list of updated consensus standards
from §1910.133(b)(1) and the equivalent-protection provision in
paragraph (b)(2) of the general industry standard.  The remaining
provisions of §1926.102 (i.e., (a)(1), (a)(3)-(a)(4), and
(a)(6)-(a)(8), and (b)(2)) would stay intact.  OSHA would redesignate
§1926.102(a)(3) and (4) as §1926.102(a)(4) and (a)(5), respectively,
and remove §1910.133(a)(5) and its associated Table E-1; OSHA then
would redesignate Tables E-2 and E-3 as Tables E-1 and E-2,
respectively.  OSHA believes this option would replace the 1968 ANSI
standard with the updated consensus standards, thereby making the
construction standard for eye and face protection consistent with the
standards for other industries, while retaining the existing
requirements that are familiar to employers and employees in the
construction industry.  

Option #1

§1926.102 Eye and face protection.

(a) General requirements. (1) The employer shall ensure that each
affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed
to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid
chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or
potentially injurious light radiation.

(2) The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses eye
protection that provides side protection when there is a hazard from
flying objects.  Detachable side protectors (e.g., clip-on or slide-on
side shields) meeting the pertinent requirements of this section are
acceptable.

(3) The employer shall ensure that each affected employee who wears
prescription lenses while engaged in operations that involve eye hazards
wears eye protection that incorporates the prescription in its design,
or wears eye protection that can be worn over the prescription lenses
without disturbing the proper position of the prescription lenses or the
protective lenses.

(4) Eye and face PPE shall be distinctly marked to facilitate
identification of the manufacturer.

(5) Protectors shall meet the following minimum requirements:

(i) They shall provide adequate protection against the particular
hazards for which they are designed.

(ii) They shall be reasonably comfortable when worn under the designated
conditions.

(iii) They shall fit snugly and shall not unduly interfere with the
movements of the wearer.

(iv) They shall be durable.

(v) They shall be capable of being disinfected.

(vi) They shall be easily cleanable.

(b) Criteria for protective eye and face protection.  (1) Protective eye
and face protection devices must comply with any of the following
consensus standards:

(i) ANSI Z87.1-2010 “American National Standard Practice for
Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection,” which is
incorporated by reference in §1910.6;

(ii) ANSI Z87.1-2003, “American National Standard Practice for
Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection,” which is
incorporated by reference in §1910.6; or

(iii) ANSI Z87.1-1989 (R-1998), “American National Standard Practice
for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection,” which is
incorporated by reference in §1910.6.

(2) Protective eye and face protection devices that the employer
demonstrates are at least as effective as protective eye and face
protection devices that are constructed in accordance with one of the
above consensus standards will be deemed to be in compliance with the
requirements of this section.

(c) Protection against radiant energy—(1) Selection of shade numbers
for welding filter.  Table E-1 shall be used as a guide for the
selection of the proper shade numbers of filter lenses or plates used in
welding.  Shades more dense than those listed may be used to suit the
individual's needs.

Table E-1—Filter Lens Shade Numbers for Protection Against Radiant
Energy

Welding operation	Shade number

Shielded metal-arc welding 1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch diameter
electrodes	10

Gas-shielded arc welding (nonferrous) 1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch
diameter electrodes	11

Gas-shielded arc welding (ferrous) 1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch
diameter electrodes	12

Shielded metal-arc welding 3/16-, 7/32-, 1/4-inch diameter electrodes	12

5/16-, 3/8-inch diameter electrodes	14

Atomic hydrogen welding	10-14

Carbon-arc welding	14

Soldering	2

Torch brazing	3 or 4

Light cutting, up to 1 inch	3 or 4

Medium cutting, 1 inch to 6 inches	4 or 5

Heavy cutting, over 6 inches	5 or 6

Gas welding (light), up to 1/8-inch	4 or 5

Gas welding (medium), 1/8-inch to 1/2-inch	5 or 6

Gas welding (heavy), over 1/2-inch	6 or 8

(2) Laser protection.  (i) Employees whose occupation or assignment
requires exposure to laser beams shall be furnished suitable laser
safety goggles which will protect for the specific wavelength of the
laser and be of optical density (O.D.) adequate for the energy involved.
 Table E-2 lists the maximum power or energy density for which adequate
protection is afforded by glasses of optical densities from 5 through 8.

Table E-2—Selecting Laser Safety Glass

Intensity, CW maximum power density (watts/cm2)	Attenuation

	Optical density (O.D.)	Attenuation factor

10−2	5	105

10−1	6	106

1.0	7	107

10.0	8	108

Output levels falling between lines in this table shall require the
higher optical density.

(ii) All protective goggles shall bear a label identifying the following
data:

(a) The laser wavelengths for which use is intended;

(b) The optical density of those wavelengths;

(c) The visible light transmission.

Option #2

§1926.102  Eye and face protection.

(a) General.  (1) Employees shall be provided with eye and face
protection equipment when machines or operations present potential eye
or face injury from physical, chemical, or radiation agents.

(2) Criteria for protective eye and face protection.  (1) Protective eye
and face protection devices must comply with any of the following
consensus standards:

(i) ANSI Z87.1-2010 “American National Standard Practice for
Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection,” which is
incorporated by reference in §1910.6;

(ii) ANSI Z87.1-2003, “American National Standard Practice for
Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection,” which is
incorporated by reference in §1910.6; or

(iii) ANSI Z87.1-1989 (R-1998), “American National Standard Practice
for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection,” which is
incorporated by reference in §1910.6.

(3) Protective eye and face protection devices that the employer
demonstrates are at least as effective as protective eye and face
protection devices that are constructed in accordance with one of the
above consensus standards will be deemed to be in compliance with the
requirements of this section.

(4) Employees whose vision requires the use of corrective lenses in
spectacles, when required by this regulation to wear eye protection,
shall be protected by goggles or spectacles of one of the following
types:

(i) Spectacles whose protective lenses provide optical correction;

(ii) Goggles that can be worn over corrective spectacles without
disturbing the adjustment of the spectacles;

(iii) Goggles that incorporate corrective lenses mounted behind the
protective lenses.

(5) Face and eye protection equipment shall be kept clean and in good
repair.  The use of this type equipment with structural or optical
defects shall be prohibited.

(6) Protectors shall meet the following minimum requirements:

(i) They shall provide adequate protection against the particular
hazards for which they are designed.

(ii) They shall be reasonably comfortable when worn under the designated
conditions.

(iii) They shall fit snugly and shall not unduly interfere with the
movements of the wearer.

(iv) They shall be durable.

(v) They shall be capable of being disinfected.

(vi) They shall be easily cleanable.

(7) Every protector shall be distinctly marked to facilitate
identification only of the manufacturer.

(8) When limitations or precautions are indicated by the manufacturer,
they shall be transmitted to the user and care taken to see that such
limitations and precautions are strictly observed.

(b) Protection against radiant energy—(1) Selection of shade numbers
for welding filter.  Table E-1 shall be used as a guide for the
selection of the proper shade numbers of filter lenses or plates used in
welding.  Shades more dense than those listed may be used to suit the
individual's needs.

Table E-1—Filter Lens Shade Numbers for Protection Against Radiant
Energy

Welding operation	Shade number

Shielded metal-arc welding 1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch diameter
electrodes	10

Gas-shielded arc welding (nonferrous) 1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch
diameter electrodes	11

Gas-shielded arc welding (ferrous) 1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch
diameter electrodes	12

Shielded metal-arc welding 3/16-, 7/32-, 1/4-inch diameter electrodes	12

5/16-, 3/8-inch diameter electrodes	14

Atomic hydrogen welding	10-14

Carbon-arc welding	14

Soldering	2

Torch brazing	3 or 4

Light cutting, up to 1 inch	3 or 4

Medium cutting, 1 inch to 6 inches	4 or 5

Heavy cutting, over 6 inches	5 or 6

Gas welding (light), up to 1/8-inch	4 or 5

Gas welding (medium), 1/8-inch to 1/2-inch	5 or 6

Gas welding (heavy), over 1/2-inch	6 or 8

(2) Laser protection.  (i) Employees whose occupation or assignment
requires exposure to laser beams shall be furnished suitable laser
safety goggles which will protect for the specific wavelength of the
laser and be of optical density (O.D.) adequate for the energy involved.
 Table E-2 lists the maximum power or energy density for which adequate
protection is afforded by glasses of optical densities from 5 through 8.

Table E-2—Selecting Laser Safety Glass

−2	5	105

10−1	6	106

1.0	7	107

10.0	8	108

Output levels falling between lines in this table shall require the
higher optical density.

(ii) All protective goggles shall bear a label identifying the following
data:

(a) The laser wavelengths for which use is intended;

(b) The optical density of those wavelengths;

(c) The visible light transmission.

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most if not all conceivable hazards for which an employer could be
cited, in practice it could limit the range of citable hazards in a way
the current §1926.102(a)(1) might not.

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