What Is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133? Eye and Face Protection Explained
What Is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133? Eye and Face Protection Requirements for General Industry Explained
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 is the general industry standard requiring employers to provide and ensure the use of eye and face protection when employees are exposed to eye or face injury from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids, caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation. The protection must meet ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 requirements or be at least as effective as Z87.1 devices. The companion standard for construction is 29 CFR 1926.102, which references the same Z87.1 requirements. Eye injuries are among the most common and preventable occupational injuries in the U.S. — roughly 2,000 workers per day sustain eye injuries at work, and the majority occur in environments where eye protection was either absent or inadequate.
When Does OSHA 1910.133 Require Eye Protection?
1910.133(a)(1) requires eye and face protection whenever there is a reasonable probability of eye or face injury. Specific listed hazards include:
| Hazard Category | Examples | Required Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Flying particles / objects | Grinding, chipping, machining, fastener driving, sawing | Z87+ safety glasses or goggles |
| Molten metal | Welding, casting, foundry operations | Welding goggles or face shield over safety glasses |
| Liquid chemical splash | Chemical mixing, transfer, acid handling | D3-marked chemical splash goggles |
| Acid and caustic liquids | Battery maintenance, etching, acid cleaning | D3 splash goggles; face shield for large volumes |
| Chemical gases/vapors | Chlorine, ammonia, solvent vapors at high concentration | D3 indirect-vent goggles; full-face respirator |
| Injurious light radiation | Welding arc, laser, UV lamps, high-intensity sources | Appropriate shade filter per OSHA Table E-2 |
| Dust | Sandblasting, grinding, woodworking, construction dust | D4/D5 dust goggles or Z87+ safety glasses |
The Hazard Assessment Requirement: 1910.132 as Foundation
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 works in conjunction with the broader PPE standard 29 CFR 1910.132. Section 1910.132(d) requires employers to conduct a hazard assessment of the workplace to determine if hazards are present that necessitate PPE. For eye protection, this assessment identifies: whether flying particles, splash, or radiation hazards exist; which body parts are at risk; what type of eye/face protection is appropriate; and which ANSI Z87.1-rated devices address the identified hazards.
The hazard assessment must be certified in writing with the job title of the person who conducted it, the workplace evaluated, and the date. A signed, dated certification form kept on file documents employer compliance with 1910.132(d).
ANSI Z87.1 Compliance Requirement
OSHA 1910.133(b) specifies that eye and face protection must meet ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 (or be at least as effective). This means purchased safety eyewear must carry the Z87 or Z87+ marking on both frame and lens per ANSI Z87.1-2020 requirements. Eyewear without ANSI markings cannot be demonstrated to meet 1910.133, regardless of price or marketing claims. OSHA inspectors check for ANSI markings as part of standard PPE inspections.
Corrective Lens Requirements
Employees who wear prescription eyeglasses must use one of the following:
- Protective devices that incorporate the prescription lenses (prescription safety glasses with Z87.1-marked frames and lenses).
- Devices that can be worn over prescription glasses without disturbing the prescription or the protective device (over-the-glasses (OTG) safety glasses or goggles sized to fit over prescription frames).
Standard dress eyeglasses are not Z87.1-compliant and cannot be used as eye protection even in environments where Z87 basic impact would otherwise suffice. Prescription safety glasses must have Z87.1-marked frames and the appropriate impact-rated lens (Z87 or Z87+ per hazard).
Side Protection Requirements
OSHA 1910.133(b)(1)(ii) notes that when the hazard requires protection against side exposure, side shields must be provided. In most industrial settings, safety glasses with wrap-around frames or integrated side shields satisfy this requirement for flying particle hazards. Non-wrap spectacles with clip-on side shields are also acceptable if the combination is Z87.1-compliant.
Chemical Splash Protection vs Safety Glasses
Standard Z87.1 safety glasses — including those rated Z87+ — do not provide chemical splash protection. The frame does not create a face seal. Chemical liquids can reach the eye through the gaps between frame and face. For chemical splash hazards (D3 designation under Z87.1), chemical splash goggles with a conforming face seal are required. In operations involving large volumes of chemical liquids or concentrated acids, a face shield worn over chemical splash goggles provides full-face protection.
Welding Filter Shade Requirements
For operations involving welding arcs, plasma cutting, or other high-intensity light sources, OSHA Table E-2 in 1910.133 specifies minimum filter shade numbers by operation and electrode/amperage. Using an insufficient shade allows UV and IR radiation to damage the retina even if the worker feels no immediate discomfort. Always select the correct shade from OSHA Table E-2 or the lens manufacturer's shade guide for the specific welding process.
Employer Responsibilities Under 1910.133
- Conduct a written hazard assessment identifying eye/face hazards present.
- Provide Z87.1-compliant eye and face protection at no cost to employees (for PPE required by OSHA standards — cost allocation rules per 1910.132(h)).
- Train employees on when eye protection is required, what type to use, and proper donning/doffing.
- Ensure employees actually use the required protection in hazard areas.
- Replace damaged or worn eye protection that no longer meets Z87.1 standards.
Related Products at WC Safety
- ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses — full selection
- Chemical splash (D3) and dust (D4/D5) goggles
- Face shields — Z87.1 rated for chemical and particle protection
- MCR Safety Z87.1 eyewear
- Full eye protection catalog at WC Safety
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133?
A: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 is the general industry standard requiring eye and face protection for workers exposed to hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids, caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, and injurious light radiation. Eye and face protection must meet ANSI Z87.1 or be at least as effective. The construction equivalent is 29 CFR 1926.102.
Q: When does OSHA 1910.133 require eye protection?
A: Eye protection is required whenever there is a reasonable probability of eye injury. Specific triggers include flying particles or objects, molten metal, liquid chemical splash, acids and caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors at hazardous concentrations, and injurious light radiation from welding, laser, or UV sources.
Q: Does OSHA require eye protection to have Z87 markings?
A: OSHA 1910.133(b) requires eye protection meeting ANSI Z87.1. ANSI Z87.1 requires that both frame and lens be permanently marked with the Z87 or Z87+ designation. In practice, unmarked eyewear cannot be demonstrated to meet the OSHA standard and should not be used in workplaces requiring 1910.133 compliance.
Q: Do safety glasses protect against chemical splash?
A: Standard safety glasses (Z87 or Z87+) do not protect against chemical splash because they lack a conforming face seal. Chemical splash protection requires D3-marked chemical splash goggles. For high-risk splash operations, wear D3 goggles plus a face shield for full-face coverage.
Q: Can employees wear regular prescription glasses instead of safety glasses?
A: No. Regular prescription glasses are not Z87.1-compliant and may not be used as workplace eye protection. Employees requiring vision correction must use prescription safety glasses (Z87.1-marked frame and lens) or over-the-glasses (OTG) safety eyewear worn over their prescription glasses.
Q: Who pays for safety glasses under OSHA?
A: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(h), employers are required to pay for most PPE, including safety glasses, required by OSHA standards. Exceptions include non-specialty safety-toe footwear and non-specialty prescription safety glasses where the employer allows employees to use them off-site.
Q: Does OSHA 1910.133 cover laser eye protection?
A: OSHA 1910.133 covers injurious light radiation including laser hazards. Laser safety eyewear must meet the optical density requirement for the specific laser wavelength and power level — this is typically expressed as OD (optical density) at the laser wavelength, not the Z87.1 shade system. Z87.1-compliant safety glasses with the appropriate OD marking for the specific laser are required.
Q: What side shield requirements does OSHA impose?
A: OSHA 1910.133(b)(1)(ii) requires side protection when the hazard warrants it. Wrap-around safety glasses with integrated side protection satisfy this requirement. Clip-on side shields added to straight-temple frames are acceptable if the combination is Z87.1 compliant.
Q: Do face shields replace safety glasses?
A: Not necessarily. Face shields protect the face but may not adequately protect the eyes from angled or wrap-around projectile hazards. OSHA guidance recommends wearing Z87+ safety glasses beneath face shields in most flying particle environments. Face shields without underlying safety glasses may be adequate only for specific splash hazards where particle risk is absent.
Q: What is the construction equivalent of 1910.133?
A: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.102 governs eye and face protection in construction and incorporates the same ANSI Z87.1 requirement. The hazard categories and protection types are essentially identical to 1910.133.
Q: How do welding shade numbers work under 1910.133?
A: OSHA Table E-2 in 1910.133 specifies minimum shade numbers for various welding and cutting operations by process and amperage range. Higher amperages require darker shades. Always use the minimum shade or higher — never a lower shade number than OSHA Table E-2 specifies for your process.
Q: Is a hazard assessment required before providing eye protection?
A: Yes. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132(d) requires a written hazard assessment identifying eye and face hazards before selecting and providing PPE. The assessment must be certified in writing with the evaluator's job title, the workplace evaluated, and the date.
Q: Can anti-fog safety glasses be used in chemical environments?
A: Anti-fog coatings on spectacle lenses do not convert spectacles into splash protection. Anti-fog is a comfort feature. For chemical environments with splash risk, D3-marked chemical splash goggles are required regardless of frame coating features.
Q: What training does OSHA require for eye protection users?
A: OSHA 1910.132(f) requires training employees on when PPE is necessary, what PPE is required, how to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear the PPE, the limitations of the PPE, and proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of PPE. Training must be provided before initial use.
Q: Where can I buy OSHA-compliant eye and face protection?
A: WC Safety carries a full range of ANSI Z87.1-2020 compliant safety glasses, chemical splash goggles, and face shields. Browse the complete selection at wcsafety.com/collections/eye-protection.
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WC Safety participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Outbound Amazon links are affiliate links. We accept no manufacturer payment, sponsorship, or product samples. This content is not medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Safety equipment selection is governed by applicable OSHA standards and your facility's safety program.