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108 Personal Protective Equipment: Basic
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Eye and Face Protection

Face Shields

These normally consist of adjustable headgear and a face shield made of tinted or transparent acetate, polycarbonate, or wire screen. Face shields are available in various sizes and levels of tensile strength, impact and heat resistance, and light-ray filtering capacity.

This face shield protects against biohazards.

Face shields are used in operations when the entire face needs protection. They should be worn to protect the eyes and face against flying particles, metal sparks, and chemical or biological splashes.

Welding Shields

These shield assemblies consist of:

  • a vulcanized-fiber or glass-fiber body;
  • ratchet- or button-type adjustable headgear or a cap attachment; and
  • a filter and cover-plate holder.
Wear the shield or go blind.

These shields protect workers' eyes and faces from retinal burns caused by infrared and ultraviolet light, as well as from flying sparks, metal spatter, and slag chips encountered during:

  • welding;
  • brazing;
  • soldering;
  • resistance welding;
  • bare or shielded electric arc welding;
  • oxyacetylene welding; or
  • cutting operations.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-7. Welding shields protect the welder from which of the following injuries?