WAC 296-305-02003   Eye and face protection.  (1) Face and eye protection shall be provided for and used by fire fighters engaged in fire suppression and other operations involving hazards to the eye and face at all times when the face is not protected by the full facepiece of the SCBA. Primary face and eye protection appropriate for a given specific hazard shall be provided for, and used by, members exposed to that specific hazard. Such primary face and eye protection shall meet the requirements of ANSI Z87.1, 1989 edition.

     (2) Persons whose vision requires the use of corrective lenses in spectacles, and who are required by this standard to wear eye protection, shall wear goggles or spectacles of one of the following types:

     (a) Spectacles with protective lenses that provide optical correction.

     (b) Goggles that can be worn over corrective spectacles without disturbing the adjustment of the spectacles.

     (c) Goggles that incorporate corrective lenses mounted behind the protective lens.

     (3) When limitations or precautions are indicated by the manufacturer, they shall be transmitted to the user and care taken to see such limitations and precautions are strictly observed.

     (4) Care, use, and maintenance for any type of eye or face protection shall follow the manufacturers suggested recommendations.

     (5) Goggles shall be inspected, cleaned and disinfected prior to being reissued to other employees.

Note:

The helmet face shield alone does not always provide adequate eye protection against flying particles, splash, gases and vapors. For known eye hazards, such as, but not limited to, cutting with power saws, chopping, drilling and using extrication equipment, the face shield should be worn with additional eye protection.

     (6) Helmet face shields shall meet the requirements of NFPA, Standard Helmets for Structural Fire Fighting 1972, 1992 edition.

     (7) For fire fighters that do not have a helmet face shield for eye and face protection, flexible or cushioned fitting goggles shall be provided.

     (8) Goggles shall consist of a wholly flexible frame, forming a lens holder or a rigid frame with integral lens or lenses, having a separate, cushioned fitting surface on the full periphery of the facial contact area.

     (a) Materials used shall be chemical-resistant, nontoxic, nonirritating and slow burning.

     (b) There shall be a positive means of support on the face, such as an adjustable headband of suitable material or other appropriate means of support to retain the frame comfortable and snugly in front of the eyes.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040. 99-05-080, § 296-305-02003, filed 2/17/99, effective 6/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 96-11-067, § 296-305-02003, filed 5/10/96, effective 1/1/97.]