1. Scope

This publication summarises the operating procedures of The Australian National University to control hazards to the eye and to minimise the risk of eye injury arising from such hazards.

Eye hazards at the University shall be eliminated where possible and otherwise controlled at source and any residual risk minimised by the wearing of a suitable eye protector.

It is a requirement that these procedures shall be followed by managers, employees, visitors, students and contractors of the University.

2. Definitions

2.1 Eye Protector

Eye protector is any device that is worn in front of the eyes and which is designed to protect the eyes against injury from eye hazards. Eye protectors include safety spectacles (plain or prescription), goggles, face shields, hoods and welding helmets.  Eye protectors shall comply with relevant Australian Standards:

• AS 1336 - Recommended practices for occupational eye protection
• AS 1337 - Eye protectors for industrial applications
• AS 1338 - Filters for eye protectors
• AS 2211 - Laser safety
• AS 1067 - Sunglasses
• AS 1680 - Interior lighting
• AS 3957 - Light-transmitting screens and curtains for welding operations

2.2 Eye Hazard

Eye hazards in the University environment may include:

• low, medium and high energy particles and materials
• chemical materials
• microbiological materials
• hot materials
• cryogenic liquids
• intense light sources (including welding operations)
• laser radiation
• ultraviolet radiation (including welding operations)
• infrared radiation
• ionizing radiations
• sunlight

Examples of specific eye hazards and methods for their control are given in Appendix A and recommendations for eye protectors required to control residual risk are given in Appendix B.

2.3 Eye Protection Zone

Eye protection zone refers to a location or task identified and designated by the Budget Unit as requiring the wearing of eye protectors to control a residual risk from eye hazards .

2.4 Budget Unit

Budget Unit refers to a School, Faculty, Centre, Division, Department, Branch or Unit designated by the Vice-Chancellor as responsible for an activity of the University.

3. Eye Protection Procedures

3.1 Eliminating the Hazard or Reducing the Risk

All reasonable steps shall be taken to design a workplace that eliminates eye hazards where possible and reduces the risk of such hazards by engineering or substitution methods where appropriate.  Such steps include changes to processes or materials, isolation of processes, and prevention or containment of harmful emissions (whether liquid, solid or gaseous) by such means as enclosures, screens and exhaust systems, as well as the provision of appropriate lighting.

3.2 Identification of Eye Protection Zones

Budget Units (in conjunction with the OHS Unit, as required) shall survey workplace locations under the control of the Budget Unit or tasks undertaken by the Budget Unit to determine where the wearing of eye protectors is required to minimise any residual risk from eye hazards.  The use of suitable eye protectors is an essential risk minimisation requirement in undertaking chemical, biological, cryogenic, ionizing radiation, laser, workshop, machine, welding and hot work (http://info.anu.edu.au/hr/ohs/ohs_policies.asp).

Guidelines on recommended eye protection for specific hazards and tasks are included in Appendix A and Appendix B.  Advice can also be sought from the OHS Unit.  For protection against low impact hazards and low-risk laboratory hazards, polycarbonate prescription lenses with safety frames can be provided by optometrists as safety spectacles which comply with Australian Standards.

All designated eye protection zones, except those where the hazard is limited to radiation, should have an eye wash station.

3.3 Provision and Use of Eye Protectors

The wearing of eye protectors is also obligatory for casual visitors to eye protection zones and for those passing through such zones if there is risk of eye injury during transit. The Budget Unit should plan to have sufficient numbers of appropriate eye protectors available for such purposes.

Undergraduate students shall provide appropriate eye protectors for their own use before being approved to access eye protection zones.

3.4 Signage of Eye Protection Zones

Signs conforming to AS 1319 - Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment shall be posted to indicate eye protection zones. Signs should be clear and strategically placed to capture attention.  

3.5 Subsidy for Safety Glasses with Prescription Lenses

Where an eligible person consults an optometrist and has eye protectors made with polycarbonate or hard resin prescription lenses and safety frames, 100% of the following costs will be met by the Budget Unit :

• a set of safety frames;
• polycarbonate or hard resin lenses;

Lenses are to be manufactured from suitable impact-resistant material (such as polycarbonate or hard resin) and be coated to avoid scratching. Hardening of glass lenses is not recommended.

Employees and students should consult an optometrist at least every 2-3 years to ensure that their lens prescription is satisfactory. Some individuals, due to age or eye pathology, may require more frequent review. Optometrist consultation fees for prescriptions are the responsibility of employees and students and are, at present, recoverable from Medicare.

3.6 Contact Lenses

It is inadvisable to wear contact lenses in dusty conditions and in laboratory and workshop activities.  In other situations requiring eye protection they should only be worn in conjunction with eye protectors .

3.7 Sunglasses

If sunglasses are provided they must comply with AS 1067 - Sunglasses.

3.8 First Aid Kits

First aid kits should be appropriately located and accessible to all staff.  A list of First Aid Attendants is provided at http://info.anu.edu.au/hr/OHS/OHS_Networks/First_Aid_Attendants.asp.  A list of recommended contents for a first aid kit is available at http://info.anu.edu.au/Policies/_DHR/Procedures/First_Aid_Services.asp including sterile eye wash sachets.  Additional contents should be added to first aid kits where specific hazards exist.

4. History

These hazard management procedures for Eye Protection were prepared by the OHS Unit, reviewed by Budget Unit management, recommended by representatives of employees and management at the Occupational Health and Safety Policy Committee, 21 February 2001, and approved by Margaret Ford, Director, Human Resources Division on 1 May 2001.

These procedures should be read in conjunction with the University's Occupational Health and Safety Policy and other relevant policies and procedures of the University.

First issued:  June 1987
Current revision:  May 2001

APPENDIX A

Specific Eye Hazards and Control Methods
(condensed from AS\NZS 1336)

Examples of some specific eye hazards found in the work environment and the typical methods used to control such hazards are listed below for sources from:

• workshop and trade work
• laboratory work
• outdoor work

APPENDIX B

Recommended Eye Protectors to Control Residual Risk
(condensed from AS\NZS 1336)