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An EHS Hero® subscriber was unable to persuade painters to use eye protection during painting operations, and they claimed that PPE hindered the task. This leads subscribers to ask our experts: Is eye protection a compliance requirement for spray paint? Look at their views on the matter.

Question: Some of our painters do not use goggles when doing certain primers. They claim that safety glasses, full face masks, and anything else called a safety barrier will produce glare and make the job impossible. Do I need to protect my eyes when painting? What standard says so, so I have some written proof?

Answer: Although OSHA's standard for spraying with flammable and combustible materials (see 29 CFR 1910.107) does not specify the type of PPE required for spray painting operations, the agency's eye and face protection standards in 29 CFR 1910.133 require all employers to ensure When employees are exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or corrosive liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially harmful light radiation, they should use appropriate eye or face protection measures.

In addition, in accordance with the general personal protective equipment standard in 29 CFR 1910.132, OSHA requires employers to provide appropriate PPE and training for every employee whose engineering and administrative controls are not practicable or impossible to implement or who may face physical or health hazards in the workplace. Effectively reduce exposure to a safe level. In order to determine whether a certain type of PPE is required for a specific task, the employer must conduct a risk assessment for each job to assess the extent to which employees are exposed to various hazards. OSHA provides non-mandatory compliance guidelines for hazard assessment and PPE selection in Part 1910, Subpart I, Appendix B, but it is ultimately for employers to assess workplace hazards and select and let each affected employee use appropriate Type of PPE. As OSHA points out in Appendix B, “Safety officials are responsible for using common sense and appropriate expertise to accomplish these tasks.”

Therefore, it is up to you as the employer to decide whether your painting operations require eye protection, but due to the chemical and particle hazards, this type of PPE may be required. In most painting operations, common types of PPE include goggles or safety glasses, respirators, work clothes, and chemical-resistant gloves, but again, the specific PPE required in the workplace will depend on the hazards and unique conditions that exist.

We also recommend that you consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) of any product used in the spraying operation. Section 8 of the SDS is titled "Exposure Controls and Personal Protection" and will provide recommendations on the types of PPE, including eye protection devices, to limit exposure to hazards from specific products in use.

Finally, you may also want to consult the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 33 Spray Application Standards for Use of Flammable or Combustible Materials for recommendations.

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