Eye Safety Policy

Policy Statement

Section 141.10, Part 141 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, amended by the Board of Regents February 1971, provides for conformity to revised standards of eye safety devices in educational institutions within New York State. Article 409-A of the State Education Law requires that in certain specified locations and situations, “The…person in charge of every…educational institution within the State…shall arrange for and require…that every student and teacher…wear eye safety devices.” 

In addition, the New York Department of Labor/Employee Safety and Health (PESH) Bureau has adopted the Federal Personal Protective Equipment Standard for public sector work places in general industry (12 NYCRR800.3). 

All applicable State Occupational Safety and Health regulations pertaining to eye safety and protection shall be observed. Nothing in this policy shall be construed as replacing or superseding pertinent Occupational Safety and Health regulations.

Purpose/Scope

To be in compliance with federal and state regulations and for the health and safety of individuals on campus, SUNY Brockport must require that campus community members use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards.

Before depending exclusively on personal protective equipment such as eye protection, it is preferable that the above hazards are eliminated or minimized by (1) substitution, (2) engineering controls, or (3) administrative controls whenever possible.

Applicability

All employees, students, auxiliary organizations, contractors, volunteers, and campus visitors.

Definitions

There are no definitions for this policy at this time.

Policy Procedures

Eye safety devices shall be worn when performing or observing a process in which there is a possibility or expectation that a foreign object or material may injuriously enter the eye, or that portion of the skull which surrounds the eye (i.e., the orbital cavity). This includes, but is not limited to, procedures:

1. in which the materials and/or the materials and activities specified in the State Education Law are employed or practiced,
2. in which chemical substances are used in instruction or in employment,
3. in which blood or other potentially infectious materials may be splashed into the eye,
4. involving hot solids, liquids, or molten metals,
5. involving milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, or stamping of any solid materials,
6. involving heat treatment, tempering, or kiln firing of any metal or other materials,
7. involving gas or electric arc welding,
8. involving repair or servicing of any vehicle, or
9. involving operations in which visible or invisible light radiation, potentially injurious to the eye, is produced, such as in glass working, ultraviolet radiation, laser beam operation, etc.

This policy shall be understood to include those situations in which an object or material may in itself be regarded as reasonably harmless, but the conditions of use may lead to injury. (Thus, water from an appropriately constructed eyewash fountain may be regarded as a harmless material, but when water is used under conditions of high-pressure cleaning operations or when it is directed from a pressurized fire hose, water may be considered to be potentially injurious.) Therefore, eye protection devices shall be required at all times and in all places.

Whenever there is a potential for chemical splash, indirectly-vented chemical splash goggles shall be worn.

Whenever there is a potential for airborne particles and/or harmful dust, safety glasses shall be worn.

Whenever there is a potential for impact from flying or falling objects, impact safety glasses shall be worn as a minimum protection; impact-resistant safety goggles or a face shield are highly recommended.

When using eyewear to prevent injury due to radiant energy, the individual shall ensure that they are using the appropriate filter lenses for the energy being produced.

The provisions of this policy apply to: all full-time and part-time faculty and non-academic employees of the University; all full- and part-time students; all users of University instructional and recreational facilities regardless of employment or enrollment status; and all visitors to places in the University where eye safety devices are required.

Standards for eye protection equipment shall conform to the most recent revision of American National Standards Institute standard Z87.1. 

Links to Related Procedures and Information

Federal Personal Protective Equipment Standard
NYS Education Law, Chapter 16, Title 1, Article 9, Section 409-A - Eye safety devices for certain students and teachers
US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration Eye and Face Protection 

Contact Information

Director of Environmental Health and Safety

History (in descending order)

Approval

This policy was approved by President’s Cabinet on 2022-06-10