Page 18 - HIL Operatives Training Manual V4 16022024_Neat

O P E R A T I V E S T R A I N I N G M A N U A L V E R S I O N 4

1.17 Eye Protection
All reasonably practicable efforts shall be made to reduce the risk of eye injury to such an
extent that personal eye protection is not required.
Where it is not possible to eliminate risk of injury, then suitable eye protection is to be provided
to and be worn or used by all employees and other persons whose eyes are at risk from work
activities or environmental factors in the workplace.
The following are tasks requiring the use of eye protection:-

1. All soldering operations.
2. All welding operations
3. All gas torch burning operations
4. All chemical handling operations.
5. All operations involving the use of solvent.
6. Electrical work where the risk of "arcing" exists.
7. Drilling or grinding of materials.
8. Any wire or cable trimming operations.
9. Any other operation where a reasonably foreseeable risk of eye injury may occur.

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 requires an assessment of
risk and the provision of control measures and as a last resort, personal protective
equipment.

Advice may be obtained from the health and safety consultant on the type /range of
Personal Protective Equipment available and its suitability.

Eye protectors must meet statutory requirements, be ‘CE’ marked, suitable to eliminate or
reduce the risk for which they have been specified and fit the wearer. Where spectacles
are worn beneath protective goggles the spectacles must not be in direct contact with the
goggles' lens, as they may shatter if the goggles are deformed by being struck by a heavy
high velocity particle. Eye protection visors may be an alternative.
Suitable and sufficient risk assessment of work processes shall be carried out. Where this
shows an eye injury risk, the site supervisor concerned shall make every effort to reduce
that risk to as low a level as is reasonably practicable, by elimination, substitution,
engineering controls or safe systems of work so as to eliminate or reduce the need to wear
eye protection.

Where a risk of eye injury remains, then the site supervisor concerned must ensure that
suitable and sufficient eye protection is provided and worn, and that the users have
sufficient instruction, training and supervision in its use.

Areas, within which, eye protection is required, must be clearly identified and ‘eye
protection area’ signs displayed, conforming to the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and
Signals) Regulations 1996. Access to eye protection areas should, where reasonably
practicable be restricted to essential personnel. All persons entering the area (including
visitors) must wear suitable eye protection.
All employees must use and take care of eye protection equipment provided and report
any defects. They must also ensure their work does not place others at risk, e.g., welders
must shield the electric arc. Where fixed and portable screens are used they should be
inspected regularly to ensure they are in a serviceable condition. Special attention should

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