The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation provides for Eye and Face Protection. If your work exposes your eyes to hazards such as dust or chemicals, or to the risk of impact with tools, materials, or flying debris, occupational guidelines stipulate that you must wear safety eyewear. You also need to be aware that regular prescription glasses or contact lenses are not a substitute for safety eyewear and if you work in dry, dusty, or chemically charged environments, contact lenses may not be suitable, even when worn with safety eyewear.

Safety glasses provide minimum protection and are for general working conditions. Goggles provide higher impact and acid or chemical splash protection. Face shields protect the full face from injury and they offer the highest impact protection from spraying, chipping, grinding and chemicals, however a face shield is considered a secondary safeguard to protective eyewear, it should not be worn without safety glasses or goggles.

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) report that every day, 700 Canadian workers sustain eye injuries on the job, often resulting in lost time and, in some cases, temporary or permanent vision loss.

Employers need to set up first-aid procedures for eye injuries and have eyewash stations that are easy to get to and supervisors need to conduct safety talks to highlight the need for protective eyewear. The professionals at the OH&S Safety Registy know that sight is one of our most precious senses and the ability to observe the world around us depends on it. Protect your eyes by wearing protective eyewear that fits well, is comfortable and suited to the job.