OSHA standard 1910.133, 'Eye and Face Protection,' is a critical component of personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, designed to safeguard workers from a wide range of hazards that could cause eye or face injuries. This standard mandates that employers ensure employees use appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to hazards such as flying objects, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.

The core requirement of 1910.133 is that protective eye and face devices must comply with ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010 (or later equivalent) and be marked accordingly. This ensures the equipment meets specific performance criteria for impact resistance, optical quality, and coverage. Employers must also ensure that eye and face protection is suitable for the hazard presented. For example, safety spectacles with side shields might be adequate for flying particles, but chemical splash goggles or a full face shield might be necessary when handling corrosive liquids.

Common violations of 1910.133 often include failure to provide any eye protection, providing inadequate protection for the specific hazard (e.g., using safety glasses for chemical splashes), not ensuring employees wear the provided protection, or using damaged or ill-fitting PPE. Another frequent issue is the failure to address prescription lenses; workers needing corrective vision must be provided with protection that incorporates their prescription or can be worn over their prescription glasses without disturbing the fit or function of either.

Penalties for violating 1910.133 can vary significantly based on the severity of the violation and the employer's history. While the average penalty is around $398, a single severe violation, especially one leading to serious injury, can incur fines upwards of $80,000. Compliance with 1910.133 is not just about avoiding penalties; it's about preventing debilitating eye injuries that can lead to permanent vision impairment or blindness, significantly impacting a worker's quality of life and productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of hazards require eye and face protection under OSHA 1910.133?

OSHA 1910.133 requires eye and face protection for hazards including flying objects (dust, chips, particles), molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, and potentially injurious light radiation (welding, cutting, brazing).

Does OSHA 1910.133 specify which type of eye protection to use?

While 1910.133 doesn't specify exact types for every scenario, it mandates that protection must be appropriate for the specific hazard encountered and comply with ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 standards. This means employers must conduct a hazard assessment to determine if safety glasses, goggles, face shields, or welding helmets are necessary.

What are an employer's responsibilities regarding prescription eyewear under 1910.133?

Employers must ensure that employees who wear prescription lenses are provided with eye protection that either incorporates the prescription in the protective eyewear itself or can be worn over their prescription lenses without disturbing the proper positioning of either the prescription lenses or the protective device. The protective eyewear must still meet ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 requirements.

#	Facility	Location	Total Penalties	Citations
1	MIRACAPO PIZZA COMPANY LLC DBA LITTLE LADY FOODS	GURNEE, IL	$3,102,849.00	32
2	TUBE PRODUCTS, INC.	TROY, OH	$812,250.00	45
3	NEW RIVER CASTINGS CO., INC.	RADFORD, VA	$761,000.00	44
4	A. E. STALEY MANUFACTURING CO.	DECATUR, IL	$720,200.00	369
5	FOUNDATION FOOD GROUP, INC.	GAINESVILLE, GA	$690,510.60	52
6	ALUMINUM SHAPES, LLC.	DELAIR, NJ	$674,161.68	176
7	ZMDR LLC	LONE JACK, MO	$654,490.00	48
8	FRIGIDAIRE HOME PRODUCTS	ORANGEBURG, SC	$447,092.00	129
9	DEHLER MANUFACTURING CO., INC.	CHICAGO, IL	$399,025.00	169
10	NEW HORIZONS BAKING COMPANY	COLUMBUS, OH	$394,849.00	13
11	DOEHLER-JARVIS INCORPORATION	TOLEDO, OH	$370,615.00	84
12	DYNAMIC TOOL CO., INC.	EL PASO, TX	$333,100.00	62
13	SHAPIRO PACKING COMPANY, INC.	AUGUSTA, GA	$332,140.00	135
14	EAST ALABAMA LUMBER COMPANY, INC.	LAFAYETTE, AL	$315,475.00	20
15	REGAL INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION	MILLVILLE, NJ	$300,315.50	23
16	PRINZ GRAIN & FEED	WEST POINT, NE	$299,990.00	20
17	STEEL FABRICATION SERVICES, INC.	FARMERS BRANCH, TX	$290,760.00	32
18	TRIMAC TRANSPORTATION INC.	BEAUMONT, TX	$287,500.00	16
19	GUNITE CORPORATION	ROCKFORD, IL	$284,514.00	158
20	KEY STRUCTURES, LLC	PUEBLO, CO	$279,209.00	45
21	STONE CONTAINER CORP., A SUBSIDIARY OF SSCC	PHILADELPHIA, PA	$273,600.00	25
22	DK MANUFACTURING FRAZEYSBURG, INC	FRAZEYSBURG, OH	$270,618.00	12
23	MOORECO, INC.	TEMPLE, TX	$260,153.00	27
24	DEMOULAS SUPER MARKETS, INC	RINDGE, NH	$250,000.00	26
25	GERSTENSLAGER CO.	WOOSTER, OH	$239,513.60	86

📋 What Is 29 CFR 1910.133?

29 CFR 1910.133 (Eye & Face Protection) is an OSHA regulatory standard under Part 1910 (Occupational Safety and Health Standards). Specific requirements for selection and use of eye and face protective equipment. Violations of this standard can result in penalties ranging from advisory notices to citations exceeding $150,000 for willful violations. Across the SVEP enforcement database, 43,025 facilities have been cited under this standard, accumulating $17.7M in total penalties.

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