LABSAFETY LINKS & NEWS
SAFETY EYEWEAR
Unfortunately, accidents that can cause serious eye injuries occur from time to time in the course of laboratory research. Explosions and unexpected violent reactions can create flying particles and dangerous chemical sprays. Additionally, some routine laboratory operations involving cryogens, ultraviolet light and lasers have the potential to cause eye injuries.
To minimize the risk of eye injuries, the University of Pennsylvania requires that all personnel, including visitors, wear appropriate eye protection at all times while in research laboratories. Ordinary prescription glasses do not provide adequate protection against injury.
Safety glasses meeting the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard Z89.1 must be worn at all times in the laboratory. The Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety recommends the UVEX Astrospec 3000 OTG safety glasses because it provides a high level of adjustability, limited splash protection, and can be worn over prescription glasses. UVEX Genesis safety glasses may be considered for low hazard (biomedical) laboratory work since they provide excellent adjustability and a comfortable fit for most individuals. These safety glasses are available through Fisher Safety with blue frames and the Penn logo at a discounted price. See Penn Logo Safety Eyewear for ordering information.
Although safety glasses provide satisfactory protection against most potential exposures that you may experience in the lab, they do not fit tightly against the face and consequently offer limited protection against chemical splashes.
Goggles, such as the UVEX Stealth, should be worn when carrying out operations in which there is a potential danger of chemical splashes or sprays or an unexpected violent reaction. For example, splash goggles should be worn when working with cryogens, glassware under reduced or elevated pressures (e.g. sealed tube reactions), when handling potentially explosive compounds (particularly during distillations) and when employing glass apparatus in high-temperature operations. If possible, shielding should also be set up around experiments for additional protection.
Since goggles offer little protection to the face and neck, full-face shields should be worn in conjunction with safety glasses or goggles when conducting certain particularly hazardous laboratory operations or working with exposed ultraviolet radiation sources.
Students and staff who wear prescription eyeglasses may wish to purchase prescription safety glasses. Pennsylvania Optometrics provides prescription safety glasses at reduced prices for Penn employees.
Special glasses and goggles must be used for protection when working with class 3b and 4 lasers and ultraviolet light sources. Laser safety eyewear is specific to the wavelength of the beam.
The University is required to provide you with the protective eyewear necessary to perform your job safely. Contact EHRS if you have questions regarding the selection of protective eyewear.