Eye and Face Protection

• Flying particles (grinding, cutting, chipping) — safety glasses with side protection, marked Z87. For heavy impact look for the Z87+ mark.
• Dust and fine debris — snug-fitting goggles that seal around the eye.
• Chemical splash — indirect-vented or non-vented splash goggles, plus a face shield for the face.
• Welding, cutting, brazing — a welding helmet or goggles with the correct shade filter lens.
• Light optical radiation (lasers, UV) — filters rated for that source.

Everyday safety glasses stop a particle but not a splash — a chemical goes right around the lens. Don't substitute one for the other.

A face shield is secondary protection. It guards the whole face from splash and larger debris, but it can be lifted, and a particle can still get under it. Always wear primary eye protection — safety glasses or goggles — underneath.

So for a splash job: goggles for the eyes AND a face shield for the face. For grinding: safety glasses AND a shield if there's a heavy fragment or spark hazard.

Welding, cutting, and brazing throw off intense ultraviolet and infrared light that burns the eyes ("arc flash" / "welder's flash") — the pain shows up hours later. The filter shade has to match the process and amperage; a shade too light lets damaging light through.

• Oxy-fuel gas cutting and brazing — lighter shades (roughly 3–6 depending on the work).
• Shielded metal arc welding (stick) — heavier shades (around 10–14 as amperage climbs).
• Helpers and nearby workers — need protection too; use screens or filter lenses so bystanders aren't flashed.

Use the shade chart in 1926.102 (or the manufacturer's guide) for the exact number, and step up a shade if the arc is still too bright.