SECTION B
OPNAVINST 5100.19F 5 May 2019
B5-1 SECTION B
CHAPTER 5
SIGHT CONSERVATION
Ref: (a) American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices, ANSI Z87.1-2015 (NOTAL) (b) NAVSAFECEN Chemical Eye and Face Protection Matrix (NOTAL) (c) American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment, ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 (NOTAL)
1. Discussion
a. Navy policy requires that personnel working in eye-hazard areas or operations are provided adequate eye protection at Government expense. Examples of potentially eye hazardous operations are: warfighting and operational training, cutting and welding, drilling, grinding, milling, chipping, sand blasting, other dust and particle producing operations and pouring or handling molten metals or corrosive liquids and solids. Personnel in the immediate vicinity of such operations or entering a posted eye hazard area must wear eye protective equipment.
b. Devices for eye protection, such as safety glasses, chipper's goggles, welder's goggles, chemical goggles, and face shields, must be selected using the guidance provided in appendix B5-A and tables B5-A-1 and B5-A-2. This appendix complies with reference (a). As a minimum, the protective devices provided must be approved by the ANSI, labeled "Z87" or “Z87+” in the case of ballistic eye protection devices, and adequate for the hazards specified.
2. Program Responsibilities
a. Commanding Officer
(1) Ensure that an effective sight conservation program is established.
(2) Place emphasis on leadership by example regarding wearing of sight protection equipment.
b. Safety Officer
(1) Evaluate areas, processes, and equipment for sight hazards if not previously evaluated or modifications have been made. Determine appropriate sight protective equipment per the
OPNAVINST 5100.19F 5 May 2019
B5-2 baseline IH survey, or reference (b). Assistance may be requested from an IH if difficulty in making such a determination is experienced.
(2) Maintain a current listing of all areas and processes that require eye protection and those areas that require eye wash or deluge shower facilities. A list of eye hazardous areas and processes and eye wash or deluge shower requirements is provided in the baseline IH survey.
(3) Conduct training as required by paragraph 7.
(4) Evaluate the program at least annually. Chapter A3 contains information on conducting self-assessment evaluations.
(5) Ensure safety eyewear obtained by the command has permanent side shields that meet the ANSI test requirements for that specific frame. These side shields are not to be removed.
c. Division Officers
(1) Ensure that areas identified as eye hazardous are properly marked and labeled per paragraph 3.
(2) Ensure personnel use proper eye protective devices when required.
(3) Refer personnel who wear corrective eyewear and work in eye hazard areas to the medical department to obtain prescription safety eyewear.
d. MDR. Provide personnel who require corrective lenses and work in eye hazard areas, with prescription eyewear. Safety eyewear must have side shields that meet the ANSI test requirements.
e. All Hands
(1) Comply with posted eye hazard warning labels.
(2) Properly wear required eye protective equipment.
3. Designation of Eye-Hazardous Areas and Processes. The ship (or construction and repair yard) must mark permanently installed equipment and processes that are eye-hazard areas with deck striping and a “caution” sign.
a. Mark the deck around an immediate eye hazard with a 2- to 3-inch black and yellow striped or checkerboard tape or similarly painted. This tape is available under NSN
OPNAVINST 5100.19F 5 May 2019
B5-3 9Q/990-01-342-5934 (checkerboard) or 9Q/9905-01-342-5933 (striped). Place the deck marking around equipment operator areas in the vicinity of where the eye hazard is generated (e.g., where there are flying chips from a lathe).
b. Mount the eye hazard sign directly above the hazard, component, machinery, boundary bulkhead, or door in a conspicuous location. The “caution” sign must conform to NSN 9Q/9905- 01-100-8203, "CAUTION, Eye Protection Required in This Area." Eye hazard signs or labels are also available through open purchase. Eye hazard signs and labels are not required on individual tools.
Note: Avoid placing the deck markings or eye hazard signs at the entrance of a space or shop if only selected areas of the shop are eye hazardous. Marking the entire shop as an eye hazardous area requires all personnel in or entering the shop while any equipment is in operation to wear PPE and requires that appropriate PPE is available at the entrance to the shop.
Note: For submarine Engine Room work areas, use temporary boundaries to mark the area. The use of rope and a “Machine Operation in Progress – Eye Protection Required” sign is required to mark the boundaries. See chapter D1, subparagraph 3d(1) for details.
4. Issue and Maintenance of Sight Protection Equipment
a. Issue. The ship must provide and issue appropriate eye protection at Government expense. The list of eye hazards the safety officer maintains identifies required eye protective equipment. All eye and face protection including safety glasses (frames), ballistic eye protection devices, chemical splash goggles, welding and chipping goggles, welding helmets, and face shields must be labeled "Z87.1" or “Z87.1+” indicating compliance with ANSI standard ANSI- Z87.1. Such eye and face protection equipment is available through the supply system or open purchase. Appendix B5-A contains information that describes the general types of protective eyewear frequently used on board ships.
b. Prescription Protective Eyewear. As determined by the safety officer and MDR, prescription safety glasses may be necessary for some individuals. Prescription protective eyewear must be obtained through the medical department. Open purchase procedures may be used to obtain refractive services and prescription safety lenses. DD 771 Eyewear Prescription, or as designated by BUMED, will be used in all services and equipment procurement. The prescription and procurement forms must be entered into the crew member's medical record. Prescription protective eyewear is only indicated when the individual is required to wear safety glasses for a significant portion of their daily work. For intermittent work requiring eye protection, goggles can be worn over regular prescription glasses.
OPNAVINST 5100.19F 5 May 2019
B5-4 c. Maintenance of Protective Eyewear. Personnel must maintain personal protective eyewear in a clean and fully operational condition. Before re-issue, non-corrective eye protection must be sanitized with hot, soapy water and rinsed of all traces of soap or detergent. Eye protection equipment must then be immersed for 10 minutes in a disinfectant, rinsed, and air-dried. Personnel must immediately report lost or damaged protective eyewear to their work- center supervisor.
5. Temporary Protective Eyewear. Where protective eyewear is necessary, the command must provide safety glasses or goggles to visitors and others who must enter or pass through eye hazardous areas. In addition, the command must provide them to personnel awaiting corrective or protective eyewear.
6. Emergency Eyewash and Deluge Shower Facilities. Emergency eyewash stations are primary first aid for splashes or exposures to corrosive materials. Corrosives may cause severe and progressive damage to the eyes and skin, so immediate, on-site means of washing them from the eyes and skin is vital. Emergency eyewash stations are not normally required in areas where non-corrosive liquids, irritants, metal chips, or debris may contact the eyes, since the damage normally does not progress while the person is transiting to medical attention.
a. General Requirements. The ship must have an adequate number of properly maintained and inspected eyewash facilities, installed in locations with corrosive hazards, and properly posted with signs identifying their locations. Per reference (b), approved emergency eyewash equipment (permanent plumbed or portable) must meet the requirements listed in the following subparagraphs 6a(1) through 6a(13).
(1) Be capable of flushing the eyes with potable water at a minimum flow rate of 0.4 gallons per minute for 15 continuous minutes.
(2) Have a water delivery velocity low enough not to be injurious to the user's eyes. When the valve is properly set, the flow from both nozzles should meet equidistant at the center of the bowl.
(3) Have a one-motion (e.g., paddle or pull strap), stay-open valve, such that when activated the eyewash will remain on to allow the user to hold open their eyelids to facilitate flushing. The valve must remain open without the use of the operator’s hands until intentionally closed.
Note: For MCMs that have faucet mounted eyewash stations in the medical treatment room that require two motions to activate: these eyewash stations are intended for flushing eye treatment for personnel being treated by medical personnel and not intended for use by injured personnel for emergency use. Therefore, the requirement for one motion use does not apply to these eyewash stations.
OPNAVINST 5100.19F 5 May 2019
B5-5 (4) Be on the same level, unobstructed and easily accessible within 10-second travel of the identified eye hazard.
(5) Be installed such that the travel route to the eyewash is free of trip hazards or overhead strike hazards and positioned in such a way as to pose no hazard to the user (e.g., near electrical fixtures, down a ladder, through a door, near obstructions, in a confined area).
(6) Be positioned with the eyewash nozzle(s) not less than 33 inches or more than 45 inches above the deck, and 6 inches minimum from the nearest wall or obstruction.
(7) Protect eyewash nozzles from airborne contaminants and debris. Whatever means is used to afford such protection (plastic caps, cups, cover), its removal must not require a separate motion by the operator when activating the unit.
(8) Deliver tepid flushing water (60 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit).
(9) Ensure potable water valves to eyewash stations and deluge showers are locked open with a lock-shield key or metal, tamper-proof lanyard and marked as a "W" fitting.
(10) Be positioned with the shower head height not less than 82 inches or more than 96 inches above the deck, and 16 inches minimum from the nearest wall or obstruction.
(11) For shower heads the actuator must be easily accessible no higher than 69 inches above the deck.
(12) Ensure all emergency eyewash and shower equipment is maintained through the planned maintenance system (PMS).
(13) Clearly mark eyewash stations with a green and white eyewash sign. Signs must be either NSN 9905-01-345-4521, an international type or other similar sign. Post signs in a visible location close to the eyewash unit.
b. Eyewash Stations. On surface ships, eyewash stations are typically installed in locations where corrosive materials are used. Eyewash stations must be located in the areas listed below in subparagraphs 6b(1) through 6b(7) and as documented in the baseline and follow-on IH surveys.
(1) Main and auxiliary machinery spaces, battery charging areas. Eyewash station must not be installed in CHT pump rooms.
(2) Medical treatment area does not apply to PC. For MCM, see the above subparagraph 6a(3) note.
OPNAVINST 5100.19F 5 May 2019
B5-6 (3) Chemical, water testing, and medical laboratories.
(4) Darkrooms and X-ray developing areas, if liquid chemicals are used.
(5) HAZMAT issue and storerooms, if HAZMAT is dispensed. Used HAZMAT collection areas where HAZMAT is consolidated for disposal. Do not put an eyewash unit in a calcium hypochlorite or bromine storeroom.
(6) Paint mixing and issue rooms.
(7) Oil labs. For MCMs the eyewash station is located in the laundry room directly across the passageway from the oil lab. The oil lab door must be latched open while handling oil products.
c. Eyewash Bottles. Approved eyewash bottles are available through the supply system under NSN 4230-01-294-2118. Bottles must be factory sealed to ensure the solution is sterile and have an expiration date or shelf life. Bottles cannot be refilled after the seal is broken. Eyewash bottles must not be used on surface ships. For propulsion plant spaces of nuclear powered submarines, eyewash bottles may be used in lieu of permanent or portable eyewash stations and must be readily available in nucleonics and water chemistry rooms and secondary analysis stations.
d. Combination Shower and Eyewash Station. As specified in reference (c), a combination of emergency shower with eyewash station with drain and stay-open valve must be available in all areas where the eyes and skin of crew members may be exposed to corrosive materials. Corrosives are frequently found in the locations listed below in subparagraphs 6d(1) through 6d(6), and should be evaluated for installation of a combination of emergency shower with eyewash unit:
(1) Battery shop or locker (wet cell testing, electrolyte handling).
Note: Gel-type lead acid batteries that are valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) are maintenance-free and therefore require no access to hazardous electrolytes. Combination shower and eyewash units are not required for charging areas of gel-type VRLA batteries.
(2) Oxygen-nitrogen producer room.
(3) Combat systems areas handling Isopar® fluids.
(4) Rubber and plastic shop.
OPNAVINST 5100.19F 5 May 2019
B5-7 (5) Composite material repair shop.
(6) Non-destructive test and inspection shops.
e. Portable Eyewash Stations. For those spaces that require an emergency shower, or eyewash, but where potable water and drainage are not feasible, the ship must properly install a self-contained portable eyewash. The portable eyewash unit design must comply with the same criteria for function and installation as listed in subparagraph 6a including the appropriate PMS.
f. Emergency Use. After emergency use of an eyewash station or deluge shower the injured person must be escorted to sick bay to be examined by the MDR.
g. Remotely Located Eyewash Facilities. Permanently plumbed emergency showers and eyewashes, located in remote locations or minimally manned areas must be provided with an audible alarm interlocking with the activation device of the unit. The alarm is intended to alert personnel in a manned area that someone is using an eyewash facility in a remote area and may not have anyone in the immediate vicinity to render aid. The alarm must be located in one of the following appropriate areas: outside the protected area or shop, in the associated enclosed operating station, in a nearby manned space, central control station or in damage control central.
Note: For remotely located eyewash facilities without an audible alarm, observe the two- man rule when eye-hazard operations are performed until the alarm system is installed. A label plate must be placed at eye level in the immediate vicinity of the alarm and must be inscribed:
WARNING
WHEN THE EMERGENCY SHOWER (EYEWASH) IN THE (SHOP OR SPACE LOCATION) HAS BEEN ACTIVATED, PROVIDE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE TO PERSONNEL AND NOTIFY SICK BAY.
7. Training. The safety officer must conduct training for all newly reporting personnel during indoctrination and annually thereafter. Topics that must be covered in the training program include:
a. types of eye hazard areas and processes;
b. types of eye protection;
OPNAVINST 5100.19F 5 May 2019
B5-8 c. eyewash location and proper use (particularly personnel working with corrosive materials); and
d. proper action when personnel experience mishaps involving particles or liquids in the eye, or use an eyewash station.
Note: No attempt should be made to remove a particle lodged in the eyeball, or wash an eye that has been cut in any way. Contact the medical department immediately.
OPNAVINST 5100.19F 5 May 2019
B5-A-1 Appendix A of Section B, Chapter 5 APPENDIX B5-A TYPES OF PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR
Appropriate eye and face protection is required in all areas that are designated as eye hazardous. A selection chart for eye and face protection for different work operations, and a welding filter shade protection chart, are shown in tables B5-A-1 and B5-A-2. The following is a short description of the various types of protective eyewear:
a. Safety Glasses and Spectacles. Safety glasses are to be worn in those areas where there is a possibility of flying objects, particulates, or dust entering the eye. Those spectacles with suitable filter lenses are permitted for use with gas welding operations on light work and for inspections. Sun glasses, rated as safety glasses and marked with “Z87,” with side-shields, may be used for outdoor work when sun protection is desired. Note: safety sun glasses are not suitable as ultraviolet protection from welding, cutting, or burning operations.
b. Chemical Goggles. Chemical goggles provide the eyes and eye area with protection from liquids, splashes, mists, vapors, and spray. Goggles may consist of a flexible frame or a rigid frame with a separate, cushioned fitting surface, and are held in place with a supporting band. Chemical goggles with ventilation must be splash resistant (covered vents vice perforations). Vented chemical goggles do not protect eyes against corrosive mists, vapors, gases, or aerosols.
c. Welding Goggles. Welding goggles provide protection against glare and injurious radiation, as well as from flying objects, chips, and metal splashes. Eyecup-type goggles are designed to be worn alone, while cover-type goggles are designed to fit over corrective spectacles. The lens filter of welding goggles is shaded to protect the eyes from ultraviolet, infrared, and visible rays generated by the work operations.
d. Chipping Goggles. Chipping goggles protect the eyes from relatively large flying objects generated by such operations as chipping, lathing, grinding, and chiseling. Eyecup-type goggles may be worn alone, or cover-type goggles may be fitted over corrective spectacles.
e. Welding Helmets. Welding helmets are made up of a bowl-shaped or modified bowl- shaped device equipped with a shade 14 or greater filter. These helmets are designed for use during various kinds of arc welding and heavy gas cutting and provide the welder's eyes, face, ears, and neck with protection against intense radiation and weld spatter.
f. Face Shields. Face shields provide protection to the face and neck from flying particles, liquids, or sprays. Face shields alone do not provide adequate protection against these hazards and must be worn with protective eyewear.
OPNAVINST 5100.19F 5 May 2019
B5-A-2 Appendix A of Section B, Chapter 5 g. Ballistic Eye Protection Devices. Ballistic eye protection devices provide an additional level of protection above that provided by standard safety eyewear for high impact situations. These devices may replace standard safety glasses. Ballistic eye protection devices are classified as either spectacle or goggle systems. Spectacle systems provide enough frame face form for the primary protector to double as side impact protection. Many of these spectacle and goggle systems accept optical inserts for personnel requiring vision correction. These devices and optical inserts should be qualified as a military approved ballistic protective device prior to procurement.
Note: Ballistic eye protection spectacles systems have built-in side impact protection that is part of the primary protector shield.
OPNAVINST 5100.19F 5 May 2019
B5-A-3 Appendix A of Section B, Chapter 5 TABLE B5-A-1 - EYE AND FACE PROTECTION SELECTION C ______________________________________________________________________________ APPLICATIONS ______________________________________________________________________________ OPERATION HAZARDS PROTECTORS ______________________________________________________________________________
Acetylene-Burning Sparks, Harmful Rays, Acetylene-Cutting Molten Metal, 7 Acetylene-Welding Flying Particles
Chemical Handling Splash, Acid Burns 2 (For severe exposure, add 6)
Chipping Flying Particles 1, 3, 4, 5
Electric (Arc) Welding Sparks, Intense Rays, 8 (In combination Molten Metal with 4, 5, in tinted lenses advisable)
Furnace Operations Glare, Heat, Molten Metal 7, 8, (For severe exposure, add 6)
Grinding-Light Flying Particles 1, 2, 3, 4 (For severe exposure, add 6)
Laboratory Chemical Splash, 2 (6 when in Glass Breakage combination with 4)
Machining Flying Particles 1, 2, 3, 4 (For severe exposure, add 6)
Molten Metals Heat, Glare, Sparks 7 (6 in combination with 4)
Spot Welding Flying Particles, Sparks 1, 2, 3, 4, (Tinted lenses advisable, for severe exposure, add 6)
Warfighting, Combat Projectiles, Glare, Wind 10 Training Operations and Dust
OPNAVINST 5100.19F 5 May 2019
B5-A-4 Appendix A of Section B, Chapter 5 Eye and Face Protectors Key:
1 - Goggles, chemical, flexible fitting, non-ventilated (chemical splash proof/vapor proof) 2 - Goggles, chemical, flexible fitting, indirect ventilation (chemical splash proof) 3 - Goggles, impact, flexible fitting, ventilated (do not use for chemical protection) 4 - Safety glasses and spectacles, impact, with side shields (do not use for chemical protection) 5 - Chipping goggles, clear (do not use for chemical protection) 6 - Face shield, industrial, clear (do not use for electrical work) 7 - Welding goggles, various tinted lenses 8 - Welding helmet, various tinted lenses 9 - Flight deck goggles, for air and helicopter operations only (not for industrial processes or chemical protection) 10 - Ballistic protection devices
OPNAVINST 5100.19F 5 May 2019
B5-A-5 Appendix A of Section B, Chapter 5 TABLE B5-A-2 - WELDING FILTER SHADE PROTECTION CHART
SUGGESTED WELDING OPERATION SHADE NUMBER* ____________________________________________________________________
Shielded Metal-Arc Welding, up to 5/32 inch (4 millimeters (mm)) electrodes ...................... 10 Shielded Metal-Arc Welding, 3/16 to 1/4 inch (4.8 to 6.4 mm) electrodes ...................................................................................................... 12 Shielded Metal-Arc Welding, over 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) electrodes ............................................ 14 Gas Metal-Arc Welding (Nonferrous) ...................................................................................... 11 Gas Metal-Arc Welding (Ferrous) ............................................................................................ 12 Gas Tungsten-Arc Welding ...................................................................................................... 12 Atomic Hydrogen Welding ...................................................................................................... 12 Carbon Arc Welding ................................................................................................................. 14 Torch Soldering ................................................................................................................... 2 or 3 Torch Brazing ...................................................................................................................... 3 or 4 Light Cutting, up to 1 inch (25 mm) .................................................................................... 3 or 4 Medium Cutting, 1 to 6 inch (25 to 150 mm) ...................................................................... 4 or 5 Heavy Cutting, over 6 inch (150 mm) ................................................................................. 5 or 6 Gas Welding (Light) up to 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) ..................................................................... 4 or 5 Gas Welding (Medium) 1/8 to 1/2 inch (3.2 to 12.7 mm) ................................................... 5 or 6 Gas Welding (Heavy) over 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) ................................................................... 6 or 8 Fire Watch for any Welding or Cutting Operation ..................................................................... 3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
*The choice of a filter shade may be made on the basis of visual acuity and may therefore vary widely from one individual to another, particularly under different current densities, materials, and welding processes. However, the degree of protection from radiant energy afforded by the filter plate or lens when chosen to allow visual acuity will still remain in excess of the needs of eye filter protection. Filter plate shades as low as shade eight have proven suitably radiation-absorbent for protection from the arc- welding processes.
NOTES:
1. In gas welding or oxygen cutting where the torch produces a high yellow light, it is desirable to use a filter lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in the visible light of the operation (spectrum).
2. Automatic darkening welding helmets and shields can be used as long as they meet ANSI Z87.1 requirements, are marked as ANSI approved, and will darken to the shade required for the type of welding being done.