OSHA updates eye and face protection standards

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a final rule that updates requirements for personal protective equipment for workers in general industry, shipyards, longshoring, marine terminals and construction.

The final rule reflects current national consensus standards, and ensures that workers can use up-to-date eye and face protection.

The 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the ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010, Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices, while deleting the outdated 1986 edition of that same national consensus standard.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.

Under the final rule, employers may follow any of the three latest versions of the Z87.1 standards. The new rule places no new obligations, costs or time constraints on employers. Employers that are already in compliance with OSHA’s eye and face requirements may continue their current practice in providing eye and face protection to their employees. The final rule now allows employers to follow the newest ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010 standard if they so choose.

Click here to read OSHA’s final rule in its entirety. For more information, visit OSHA’s website.