When To Wear A Face Shield

Face shields are a necessity in lots of professions and for a variety of tasks within the workplace or at home. OSHA requires the usage of face shields when workers are exposed to flying objects, molten metal, liquid chemical compounds, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gasses or vapors, or probably hazardous light radiation. Particular jobs requiring the use of face shields include metal workers, some medical workers, industrial painters and workers in chemical plants. While not all employment and tasks require a face shield, they are usually ignored and ought to be used more often.

5 Reasons To Use A Face Shield
Flying particles: Dust and other fine materials can fly into your eyes. When using chainsaws, angle grinders or related power tools, you need to always use a face shield.
Splash hazards: When handling acids, corrosives, chemical adherents or strippers and or with body fluids you need to wear face shields. Typical safety eyewear doesn’t provide the required liquid splash protection required for these type of hazards.
Excessive heat: When performing furnace maintenance, engaging in welding or dealing with any molten substance you need to use a face shield. Some face shields, typically employed in foundries, have particular coatings to provide extra protection from extreme temperatures.
Arc Hazards: Electricians working with high voltage connections need protection from potential arc explosions, which can lead to extreme burns and demise! Only specifically designed face shields ought to be used. The Elvex ARC-Shield is an instance of a face shield specifically designed to protect towards arc flash.
High-velocity impact hazards: Safety glasses do an important job of protecting your eyes. Nevertheless, they cannot protect your face. Plus, safety glasses may fail if hit by an object with sufficient mass or velocity. Face shields provide an extra degree of protection from high-mass and high-velocity impact hazards. With that being said, it’s always recommended to wear safety eyewear underneath your face shield.

Luckily, safety glasses stopped this damaged angle-grinder disk because a face shield ought to have been worn.

5 Face Shield Options To Consider
Side protection on face shields provides elevated protection from lateral hazards. It’s a natural instinct to show your face away from an object flying towards you. Nonetheless, this could expose your eyes or face to the incoming hazard. Ensure that your face shield has adequate side protection, especially for those who’re working around liquid splash or radiation hazards.
Goggle styles such as the Jackson MonoShield with Goggles or Bolle Atom Shield provide one other option for face protection when working in clean rooms, metal processing, foundries, mining, development and more. These face shields mix a removable goggle with a face shield. This characteristic provides the ability to exchange the goggle if it turns into scratched or damaged. Plus, you could discover these face shields simpler to use in lab environments, because the face shield fits closer to your face.
Headgear – Face shields are typically worn with headgear or mounted to a traditional hard hat. Consider the type of environment you’ll be working in and choose the appropriate headgear system. Most face shield manufacturers provide adapters for mounting their products on hard hats.
Face shields are available in removable or lift-entrance designs. Removable face shields enable for straightforward replacement while lift-entrance styles will be lowered and raised quickly as the task requires.
Face shield material is available in polycarbonate, Lexan or wire mesh models. Polycarbonate and Lexan protect in opposition to impacts and are available in clear or tinted versions. Wire mesh face shields are widespread with loggers and provide protection from impacts, plus they don’t fog up. However, wire mesh face shields shouldn't be used for work involving chemical, liquid splash, or fine mud hazards.
Think Safety Glasses AND Face Shield
Face shields do an excellent job of providing additional eye and face protection from a wide range of dangers. However, it's best to always wear safety glasses under your face shield because the underside and sides of face shields typically have gaps. Liquid or particles passing by means of these gaps can contact your eyes, probably causing an injury.

Be sure you take the time to judge the risks in your work space and select the appropriate eye and face protection.