Can anyone point me in the right direction?
I searched ANSI, Fed. and Cal. OSHA regulations, NEC, NFPA 70A,B and E, European Community standards as well as countless websites and can find no reference suggesting that metal safety glasses frames are prohibited when working as an electrician or performing maintenance tasks on semiconducor manufacturing equipment.
This question came up while revising our safety glasses policy. Currently, only plastic safety glasses over prescription glasses or plastic prescription safety glasses are approved.
I have seen numerous electrical contractors wearing metal framed prescription safety glasses.
It seems reasonable to me for electricans and others to wear metal frames but I'd like to hear this from others who have already addressed this issue. ANSI Z87.1-1989 only specifies impact requirements for the lens and frame not composition of the frame.
Any suggestions or code references would be appreciated.
Erik Hasenbein
Applied Materials, EHS
