The Occupational Safety and Health Administration focuses on the enforcement of safety and health legislation by developing standards employers must follow. According to OSHA, thousands of people are blinded each year from work-related eye injuries. To help minimize the risk of workplace injury, OSHA requires the use of personal protective equipment, or PPE. Under OSHA laws, employers may be responsible for providing prescription safety glasses to employees.
Employers are required to identify potential workplace eye hazards and assess the appropriate type of eye protection necessary. Protective eyewear is necessary when employees are exposed to flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases, vapors and light radiation. Employers must provide training for each employee required to use any PPE. Training is designed to teach the employees how to use, care for and maintain their equipment.
If an employee wears prescription eyeglasses while exposed to eye hazards, the employer must ensure the employee is protected without affecting his vision. He can either use eye protection that incorporates the prescription in its design or eyewear that fits over the prescription lenses, provided it does not disturb the glasses.
Safety glasses are much sturdier than regular eyeglasses and consist of a safety frame and safety lenses. The glasses may have side shields, depending on the specific job for which they're worn. The safety lenses are typically polycarbonate, which is unlikely to break. Under OSHA standards, safety glasses must be permanently marked with the manufacturer's marking, followed by a "+" sign if the lenses are impact rated. Glasses that do not protect against impact will only include the manufacturer's marking. The marking appears in the upper or outer corner of the lens on prescription safety glasses.
Responsibility to Pay
Under most circumstances, OSHA requires employers to pay for PPE. However, employers are not necessarily required to purchase prescription safety glasses since alternate types of protection are available. The employer is only obligated to pay for prescription safety glasses if the employer bars the employee from removing the glasses from the workplace -- from wearing them home. Eyewear an employer must pay for includes nonprescription eye protection, prescription eyewear inserts and lenses for full face respirators, face shields and goggles.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Employer Payment for Personal Protective Equipment -- Final Rule
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Eye and Face Protection -- OSHA Requirements
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Occupational Safety and Health Standards -- Eye and Face Protection
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Employers Must Provide and Pay for PPE
- All About Vision: Safety Glasses and Eye Safety Q&A
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