Eye Protection

[Charc]

How seriously do you guys take eye protection? When using power tools do you usually find yourself wearing eye protection?

This subject has been stewing in my mind since my internship, and my return to school. Prior to my internship I never used any PPE, except maybe Day 1, freshman year, where we were forced to do so. However, at my internship the TD made some mention to the effect of "I'd like you to wear some safety glasses [when using the power-miter-saw and pneumatic tools in the scene shop]." So of course I did. I found the glasses not to be a hinderance to my workflow, and on the contrary, provided a secure pencil holding location (as my ears sorta stick out, and will not normally hold a pencil). I find it interesting to note that one of my classmates also interned at a theatre for his January internship (there were 4 of us total, I was the only tech). He is an actor, but ended up in a technical capacity. Long story short, he shot himself in the lip with a pneumatic staple gun. That's proof that staples flying through the air can do some pretty funky acrobatics (magic bullet, anyone?), and wearing safety glasses can be worth it.

I've noticed (as has been noted) a major lack of PPE and safety standards at my school, but it hit me, almost like splinters of luan in the eye... oh wait it did, that perhaps I should extend the use of safety glasses to my SOP when using power tools. It at least saves me the down-time of picking sawdust out of my eye... It seems however that there is a general negative attitude to those who use PPE, in this instance: safety glasses, (not just in my school) as people who waste time with unnecessary precautions when they could be working. I'm wondering how (honestly, not idealistically) PPE factors into your work place, and the general attitude associated with it.

Lastly, I'm feeling like I should add some safety glasses to my toolbag (Hell if I know where they are at school), but I'll see how this thread turns out. However, in the event I do: any suggestions on brands/styles/models?

~Charlie

[soundman]

At my university any time you use a saw (panel, table, miter, band, saw buck, and radial) in the saw shop you are required to wear safety glasses. Portable tools like the router and circ saws also should be used only while wearing safety glasses. Tools like the jig saw and sawzall are optional but recommended. Screw guns and drills are at the users choice.

Over the summer the policy was do what you feel safe with. I wasn't a carp but when I had to cut something if it was just one cut I wouldn't bother but If I was going to be spending some serous time in front of the saw I would grab eye and ear protection, same with anytime I had to power cut metal.

[Footer]

I had a friend that super glued her eye shut because she was trying to get the tube un-stuck and it flew in her eye... pretty funny but almost lost an eye. The one piece of PPE I always have on me is my ear plug head band thing (orange, easy to get on and off). As far as safety glasses goes, I wear glasses so I already have that taken care of (yes they are safety lenses with side shields when I am working). Before I wore glasses I always wore safety glasses. I work most often in steel, so the crap that flies around tends to be a bit heavier and goes farther. When I am grinding heavily I usually wear clear face shield. But yes, always where safety glasses (I don't really like wearing goggles) and ear protection.

[Charc]

Re: Hearing Protection

The Etymotic (spelling?) 20DB model are in my toolbag, but I've yet to bust 'em out. Sound usually doesn't bother me.

[soundlight]

Safety glasses for all power tools and some hand tools. Not a question. Clear face shield and welding jacket or thick sweatshirt if you're cutting metal with the metal chop saw, and safety glasses and ear protection if you're using the table saw. It's a very loud one. Safety glasses if you're soldering or using strong adhesives like JB Weld or super glue (see Footer's post above, and also, the chemicals aren't always good for your eyes, case in point JB weld). I've always carried safety glasses in my toolkit.

[gafftaper]

I wear glasses. A few years ago I was using my table saw at home. Just a few cuts so I got lazy. A little piece of wood chip flew up underneath my glasses into my eye. No major damage just 24 hours of pain before I could get a doctor to remove it for me.

I'm currently trying to find some prescription safety goggles.

[derekleffew]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

...I'm currently trying to find some prescription safety goggles.

Pardon my ignorance, but isn't this something any optometrist can provide? I'm interested as well, but considering my regular lenses cost $350, I think I'll stick to safety glasses/goggles over my regular glasses. (Almost always.)

[porkchop]

I'm going to start at the shop here at the U of Utah in a week so we'll see how my opinion changes, but at this time I can talk as someone who's worked almost every major house construction trade. The key is to know just how nasty they stuff you're dealing with. Case and point, I was a foreman on a concrete crew and one of my new guys had no idea how nasty concrete is when it comes in contact with you. We were stripping forms the day after the poor so all the concrete is in a hard-enough-to-walk-on-but-not-really-dry kinda state. The guy hit a board with a hammer, shattered some concrete slag and got it in both his eyes. Long story sorter, the lime from the concrete in his eye hurt so much that he quit.

On the construction site (not the scene shop I know, but thats my experience) you will find that almost everyone has some kind of ear and eye protection, and I know for a fact that on my crew I would have really discouraged anyone from making fun of anyone else for wearing protective gear.

My opinion in one sentence. If there's anything in the air that you don't want in your eyes, wear eye protection.

[gafftapegreenia]

So, before the crash, we had begun to talk about sources for good safety goggles that were both COMFORTABLE and nicer than dollar store quality. Any thoughts?

[derekleffew]

Safety goggles, or safety glasses? Each have their place, but I've never been comfortable for very long in any safety goggles. I'd rather have a full face shield.