Face Shields - Shall or Should?

[SirTreeRat]

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It's a should not a shall at this point. "Eye protection shall be worn" but not both, face protection need only "comply" but there is no requirement to wear it stated.

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TH, you are correct Sir, there is NOT a requirement to wear a face shield(mesh), nor does it state that it is PPE. The use or non use of a face shield is personal preference.

Sylvia, your use of a shield for all on your crews is to be commended, even though it is not required, owners can make it company policy to do so. The requirement of a "face shield" only shows up in ANSI Z133.1 Sec. 5.4 Sprayers and Related Equipment
5.4.7 "The operator of high-pressure excavation equipment SHALL wear a face shield in addition to eye protection."

That being said; the wording of "reasonable probability of injury", is a blanket statement (IMHO), you can be hurt in just about anything you do. Myself I prefer not to wear a face shield, but I have in the past, if it were a required PPE, I would have it on my hard hat.

Tom, I would be interested in what the Z committees stance is on this. Also in 5.4.7 it doesn't say if the shield is to be mesh or of another material. Your thoughts please.

 

[Sylvia]

Perhaps keeping in mind that the ANSI regs are of voluntary compliance...

STR, Face protection is listed in the ANSI Z133.1 under 3.4 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Therefore, it is.

Osha lists face protection/shields as "personal protective equipment".

Osha states: 1926.102(a)(1) "Employees must be provided with eye and face protection equipment when machines or operations present potential eye or face injury from physical, chemical or radiation agents."

Face shields/protection design vary greatly depending upon the materials being used and the dangers they present, so the general term is used rather than defining plastic, mesh, etc.

Helmets and eye protection are a SHALL all the time; but hearing protection, face protection and chainsaw chaps/pants are dictated by necessity.

The onus of decision many times falls on the individual.

ANSI Z133.1, 1.4 Responsibilities of the Employee "Each person (employee or otherwise) shall be responsible for his or her own safety while on the jobsite and shall comply with the appropriate federal or state occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations and orders that are applicable to his or her own actions and conduct."

Sylvia

 

[Tmannsclimber]

The face shield comes in real handy when running the rope and your getting poured on by chips, and its one of those hold tight then let it run before it hits the bucket cuts.

 

[Jamin_Mayer]

When I retire my Petzl helmet, I shall buy a Stein (Kask)helmet with a face shield. I haven't used a face shield because I think most designs look crappy. However, Kask helmets look practical and stylish.

Yeah, I said they look stylish...

Go ahead Ed, make fun of that.