Eye and Face Protection Standards Updated in Final Rule from OSHA

In March, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule to revise eye and face protection standards. It updates requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers in general industry, shipyards, longshoring, marine terminals and construction.
 
According to OSHA, thousands of people are blinded each year from work-related eye injuries that could have been prevented with the proper selection and use of eye and face protection. Eye injuries alone cost more than $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses and worker compensation.
 
The final rule updates references in OSHA’s Eye and Face Protection Standards to recognize the ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010, Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices, while deleting the outdated 1986 edition of that same national consensus standard. OSHA is also retaining the 2003 and 1989 (R-1998) versions of the ANSI standard already referenced in its standard. In addition, the final rule updates the construction standard by deleting the 1968 version of the ANSI standard that was referenced and now includes the same three ANSI standards referenced above to ensure consistency among the agency’s standards.
 
“These changes were proposed by OSHA back in March of 2015,” said Susan Ripple, CIH® and Chair of ABIH®.  “The final rule went into effect on April 25th of this year so it’s important that people are aware of these changes.  Certified Industrial Hygienists are ready to help with the updates as they are uniquely qualified to help prevent occupational illness and injuries.  CIHs have extensive training and experience in identification and communication of chemical and biological hazards, assessing health risks and offering exposure controls in work environments and industrial processes. Their expertise is essential for preventing all types of workplace injuries and protecting the health and safety of employees and communities across the globe.”
 
To learn more about the American Board of Industrial Hygiene®, Certified Industrial Hygienist® credential or to locate a CIH® to perform industrial hygiene services, please visit www.ABIH.org, email abih@ABIH.org or call (517) 321-2638.
 
About the American Board of Industrial Hygiene ®
Since 1960, ABIH®, a not-for-profit corporation, has been the world’s largest organization for certifying professionals in the practice of industrial hygiene. ABIH® is the premier credentialing body responsible for ensuring high-quality certification including education, experience, examination, certification maintenance and ethics enforcement.  Currently, more than 6800 people in 32 countries are certified to use the CIH® designation.
 

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