Pennsylvania Code › Title 34 - LABOR AND INDUSTRY › Part I - Department of Labor and Industry › Chapter 39 - SAFETY STANDARDS-GENERAL › Subchapter C - HEAD AND EYE PROTECTION › SPECIFICATIONS › Section 39.563 - Classification of processes requiring protection

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
The various processes in which the operator shall be
						given protection to the head, eyes or neck, shall be divided into seven groups,
						each of which requires a protector of a particular style. The examples, given
						under each of the following groups are only illustrative and are not intended
						as a complete list of the operations or processes in which protectors are
						necessary:
(1) For protection from
					 relatively large flying particles resulting from chipping, caulking and
					 sledging in quarries, goggles of types 2 and 3 and masks may be used. For
					 sledging in quarries, goggles of type 1 may also be used if the lenses are of
					 extra thickness and at least 2 inches in diameter.
(2) For protection from dust and light flying
					 particles resulting from scaling, grinding, stone dressing and some woodworking
					 operations, goggles of types 1, 2, 3 and 4 may be used.
(3) For protection from splashing metal
					 resulting from babbitting, pouring of hot metal, and dipping in hot metal
					 baths, goggles of types 1, 2, and 3 and masks may be used. If goggles of type 1
					 are used, the lenses shall be not less than 2 inches in diameter. In the
					 handling of hot metal, care shall be taken to eliminate moisture from the
					 receptacle into which the metal is being poured. If type 3 eye cup goggles are
					 used, they shall fit closely and the ventilating openings shall be covered so
					 as to prevent the entrance of molten particles into the eye.
(4) For protection from gases, fumes and
					 liquids, including the handling of acids and caustics and dipping in
					 galvanizing tanks and japanning, goggles of type 3 mask or hood may be used,
					 except that in pot nitration processes the mask is the only approved form of
					 protection.
(5) For extra
					 protection against dust and small particles from such work as sandblasting, a
					 hood may be used.
(6) For
					 protection from injurious radiant energy, if a moderate reduction in the
					 intensity of the visible radiant energy is required, goggles of types 1, 2 and
					 3, with lenses of approved protective glass or plastic, or masks or helmets
					 with windows of approved protective glass or plastic, may be used. The lens or
					 window may be divided so that the upper portion is plain transparent material
					 and the lower portion is approved protective transparent material. Furnace men
					 shall be cautioned that cobalt glass is not effective in providing protection
					 from ultraviolet radiant energy, which rays are injurious to the eyes.
					 Employers and employes are urged to cooperate with the Department and with each
					 other by not using lenses composed of cobalt glass, and, in their place, to use
					 lenses which retard those rays that are injurious. Examples of such work
					 involving radiant energy include oxyacetylene and oxyhydrogen welding and
					 cutting, open hearth and Bessemer and crucible steel manufacturing, furnace
					 work and electric resistance welding, exposure to glare in testing lamps,
					 electric arc lamp testing, and spot welding with exposure to light
					 rays.
(7) For protection from
					 injurious radiant energy, if a large reduction of the visible radiant energy is
					 required, helmets, hand shields or masks with windows of approved protective
					 glass or plastic may be used. The work includes electric arc welding or
					 cutting.