Eyewear Face Fit Testing.
Verify these parameters:
- Temple tips should not pinch the area around the wearer’s ear
- Pressure on the head from the temples or side arms should be acceptable
- Nose-piece shouldn’t pinch or slide
- If the nose-pads are adjustable, check fit and adjust as necessary
- The weight of the eyewear should be comfortable on the face
When it comes to wearer acceptance, as with all personal protective equipment, comfort and compatibility is very closely linked with compliance. Poorly fitted eyewear may not be enough to prevent eye injuries, so the quality, security and comfort of fit is extremely important.
Selecting the proper safety eyewear for the job
Perhaps surprisingly, there are no regulatory requirements regarding fitting of eyewear. Current standards suggest careful consideration should be given to eyewear. There is no specific guidance on how to evaluate an individual's fit and compatibility with other items of PPE, such as respirators.
Fit Testing & Compatibility
Fit Testing eyewear is a simple 6-step method enabling a measured evaluation of fit.
- Select a style of eyewear. Instruct the wearer to try on the available eyewear models and select a style from those pre-determined by the work site to be appropriate for the hazards and tasks.
- Ergonomic Check. We recommend checking the ergonomics and wearing comfort of the selected eyewear model prior to assessing fit. Verify the following:
• Temple tips should not pinch the area around the wearer’s ear
• Pressure on the head from the temples or side arms should be acceptable
• Nose-piece shouldn’t pinch or slide
• If the nose-pads are adjustable, check fit and adjust as needed; the full surface of the nose piece or nose-pads should touch the wearer’s nose
• The weight of the eyewear should be comfortable on the face - Assessment.
View: Verify the wearer can see in all directions of eye rotation without significant obstruction to the field of view that would interfere with visibility to perform work tasks.
Security: Ask the wearer to do gentle head and body movements including shaking the head, turning the head from side to side, and moving the head up and down.
Coverage: Check how well the safety eyewear covers the soft tissue area around the eyes.
Gaps: Gap gauges help to identify excessive gaps between the eyewear and the face. - Worker Education. Verify the wearer has been trained on the proper use, maintenance, and limitations of safety eyewear.
- Ergonomic Re-check. After the wearer has had the eyewear on for a short period of time, verify it is still comfortable and doesn’t slip, slide, pinch, etc.
- Record Results. Record the brand (manufacturer), model number, and other applicable information for the selected style in the space provided in the Fit Evaluation Form. Retain fit records in compliance with applicable regulations, standards, and company policies.
Safety Made Simpler
