3M Occupational Health &
Environmental Safety Division
3M
E-Workplace
Challenge
A TECHNICAL NEWSLETTER FOR INDUSTRIAL AND EHS PROFESSIONALS
March 2009
3M E-Workplace
Challenge
2009
Dear Reader,
G
reetings to you !
Thanks for the tremendous response to the earlier editions of the EWorkplace Challenge. This has definitely motivated us to take this
initiative further up and expose our dear readers and customers to latest
technologies that would enhance not only the safety practices in the
industry but also add a fillip to the existing processes in terms of
productivity and efficiency.
Even with the prevailing economic turmoil across the world, India is
one of the few countries who are still attracting global investment with
innovative products and services. Under these trying conditions, one of
the key points required to ensure growth is the ability to adapt to new
technologies and at the same time - add value to the existing products
and processes. So as promised in the earlier editions, we once again
bring forth new technologies prevalent in the safety arena, which might
just add value to your organization in terms of sustained productivity
and growth . In this edition we will be covering emerging technologies
in eyewear protection, which have already established a new high in
eyewear protection standards. These technologies not only enhance the
safety aspects in the eyewear protection but also address the comfort
and style aspects in addition to application-specific requirements of the
end-users.
We once again thank the readers for their interest and feedback.
Looking forward for continued feedback / suggestions on the newsletter
Lastly, If you do not wish to receive this newsletter please send us an email to ohesindia@mmm.com for unsubscribing.
Do also write to us with contact details and email ID's of friends,
colleagues or acquaintances whom you wish to get enrolled for
receiving future editions of this technical newsletter.
Wish you a Safe and Prosperous year ahead!
Regards,
From the Technical Desk
Viren Shah
3M Occupation Health and
Environmental Safety (OH&ES) Division
3M E-Workplace
Challenge
2009
Occupational
EyeProtection
Eye Injuries account for a large percentage of
Occupational accidents in the country and
worldwide. The Major injuries attributed in the
workplace are by dusts, flying objects,
chemical Splashes and more or less moving
objects. At several incidents these injuries
could be devastating and cause severe
damage or Blindness to the workmen.
The eye works in a complex phenomenon and
each part of the eye has a role to play before
the brain senses the image. The eye acts as a
camera, rather the camera is a replication of
the same object, the camera though has a very
limited resolution and the Eye captures the
best image possible with the maximum
resolution possible.
When light rays are reflected off the many
colors and dimensions of objects surrounding
us, forms take shape in our mind only because
of the amazing structures of the eye:
Iris
The colored portion of the eye, the iris, also helps
regulate the amount of light entering the eye. Most of
the muscle structure that controls the opening and
closing of the pupil within the iris.
Crystalline Lens
The eye's natural lens, known as the crystalline lens, is
behind the iris. This lens helps focus images onto the
back inner lining of the eye, the retina.
Retina
The retina is a light-sensitive area in the inner back
portion of the eye that transmits impulses it receives
through the optic nerve to the brain, where the image is
interpreted and sight is achieved.
Cornea
Light rays enter the eye through the clear front
covering called the cornea. If the cornea is curved
properly, the light rays are bent (refracted) in angles
necessary to achieve sharp focus.
Pupil
The central black portion of the eye, the pupil,
regulates light by expanding and contracting. When
you are in a room with low lighting, the pupil expands
to allow more light to enter the eye. If you are in bright
sunlight, the pupil shrinks to reduce the amount of light
entering the eye
Injuries to the eyes can occur by:
a. Flying objects (bits of metal, glass)
b. Tools
c. Particles
d. Chemicals
e. Harmful radiation
f. Any combination of these or other hazards.
3M E-Workplace
Challenge
Occupational
2009
EyeProtection
It is hence advisable to use protection for the
eyes, whenever you foresee a chance for eye
injuries.
The safety eyewear available could be
a. Non-prescription and prescription safety glasses
b. Goggles
c. Face shields
d. Welding helmets
e. Full-face respirators
The Types of Eye protection required would depend on
the type of Eye injury Hazard you are exposed to. I.e If
you are working in an area that has particles, flying
objects, or dust, you must at least wear safety glasses
with side protection (side shields). If you are working
with chemicals, you should wear goggles. If you are
working near hazardous radiation (welding , lasers)
you must use special-purpose safety glasses, auto
darkening welding lenses, goggles, face shields which
are selected depending on the Intensity of the Hazard
and in that particular area.
There are 3 types of lens materials available for eye
protection which most manufacturers use.
Glass Lenses
· Are not easily scratched
· Can be used around harsh chemicals
· Can be made in your corrective prescription
· Are sometimes heavy and uncomfortable
Plastic lenses
· Are lighter weight
· Protect against welding splatter
· Are not likely to fog
· Are not as scratch-resistant as glass
Polycarbonate Lenses
· Are lightweight
· Protect against welding splatter
· Are not likely to fog
· Are stronger than glass and plastic
· Are more impact resistant than glass or plastic
· Are not as scratch resistant as glass.
You may simply follow the
3M 4 Step method
to Prevent eye injuries at the workplace.
1. Identify the areas where there is potential
for Eye injuries.
2. Understand the potential impact and
severity of damage to the employees in that
area
3. Select the proper eye protector
4. Training on proper use and care of the eye
protector.
Regular Training and showcasing posters on the shop
floor and a little bit of enforcement will all be a perfect
recipe for effective Eye protection programs.
· Each time you blink, you shut your eyes for 0.3
seconds, which means your eyes are closed at
least 30 minutes a day just from blinking.
· “Most people blink every 2-10 seconds.
· Number of fibers in human optic nerve =
1,200,000
3M E-Workplace
Challenge
2009
Most common
problems with eye wear
As an EHS / Safety office or the Eye protection
coordinator in an industry would agree that the most
common problems seen with eye wear are
a. Fogging
b. Scratches
c. Attracts dust
d. Chemical Attack
Thanks to the Dx ™ technology , through which the
lenses can now be made
a. Anti-fog
b. Anti-scratch
c. Antistatic
d. Anti Chemical
This technology has a coating over the polycarbonate
lenses, which do not allow easy abrasion of the
surface, has an antifog feature. The coating also does
not allow dust to get attracted to the surface, and can
resist mild chemical attack too.
Why are these properties desired?
Antifog:
Fogging in the work area is common and could
lead to a potentially dangerous situation or an
accident situation. There have been evidences that
the employee is not able to see clearly due to the
fogging of the lens, and he hence could be a
potential for accidents
Scratch:
Polycarbonate by property has higher tendency to
scratch; once scratched the Haze of the lens
increases and often the employees complaint
about blurred vision or headaches, which are all
associated with scratches. Special coatings or
treatments could be given to get the properties of
scratch resistance.
Static: Most of lenses are made of plastic based
materials (e.g Polycarbonate, Acrylic); these have
tendency to attract dust. The dust gets attracted
on the surface and the user tries to wipe the dust
by wiping the lens with a handkerchief or dirty
hands. This is another culprit to cause the lenses
to get scratched. The antistatic property of the
lens does not allow the dust to settle easily on the
surface , hence reducing chances of scratching.
Anti chemical: Some chemicals when attack
polycarbonate / plastic surfaces, tend to damage
the surface or itch the surface easily. An antichemical lens would mean that the lenses would
resist majority of chemical attacks and hence
enhance the longetivity of the lenses.
Should you need more information on the
Dx™ Technology and the lenses available with
these properties, please feel free to contact 3M on
ohesindia@mmm.com or via our webpage
www.mmm.com/in/ohes
3M E-Workplace
Challenge
Regulations for
testing Eyewear
2009
There are several regulations that could be used for eyewear certifications. The widely used or adopted standards
currently in India seem to be
a. Indian Standard: IS 7524: 1979
b. US Standard: ANSI Z 87.1-2003
c. European Standard :EN 166:2002
The standards though have some basic details to be similar but still may them have some essential differences. A Brief
description of the standards could be as follows
IS 7524:1979 (Reaffirmed 1996)
Optical Testing
1. Refractive, astigmatic and prismatic powers.
2. Diffusion of Light
3. Quality of Material and surface
4. Measurement of Color chromaticity
5. Measurement of Transmittance
Non-Optical Testing
1. Stability at Elevated Temperatures
2.Robustness
3. Resistance to Ultaviolet radiation
4. Resistance to corrosion of metal parts
5. Suitability for disinfection
6. Flammability
7. Resistance to High speed particles
8. Non-Adherence of molten metal
9. Resistacne to penetration of Hot solids
10. Proof against chemical Splashes
11. Protection against Dust
12. Protection against Gas.
EN 166:2001 Personal Eye Protection Specifications
(EN 167:2002 - Personal Eye Protection Optical Test Methods and EN 168:2002 - Personal Eye Protection Non-Optical
Test Methods)
Tests, which need to be done here, would be as follows:
3M E-Workplace
Challenge
Regulations for
testing Eyewear
2009
EN 166:2002 - Allocation of requirements and tests for mounted and unmounted occulars
Type of ocular
Clause
Sun glare filters for industrial
use
Cover plates against welding
splashes
166
7.1.1
+
+
+
+
+
+
168
18
Refractive powers
166
7.1.2.1
+
+
+
+
+
+
167
3.1 and 3.2
Transmittance
166
7.1.2.2.1
+
+
167
6
167
6
167
6
167
6
167
6
167
6
167
7
169
4
170
4
171
4
172
4.1
379
4.3.2/4.4.2
Variation in transmittance
166
7.1.2.2.3
Diffusion of light
166
7.1.2.3
Quality of material and
surface
166
7.1.3
Minimum robustness
166
7.1.4.1
Increased robustness
166
Temperature stability
UV--stability
Infrared filters
EN
Field of vision
according to
Ultraviolet Filters
Welding filters
Testing
Ocular without filtering effect
Requirement
+
+
+
+
according to
EN
Clause
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
167
4
+
+
+
+
+
+
167
5
+
+
+
+
+
167
4
7.1.4.2.1
+
X
X
X
X
X
168
3.1
166
7.1.5.1
+
+
+
+
+
168
5
166
7.1.4.2
+
+
+
+
+
168
6
Ignition
166
7.1.7
+
+
+
+
+
+
168
7
High speed particles
166
7.2.2
X
X
X
X
X
X
168
9
Molten metals a no hot solids
166
7.2.3
X
X
X
X
X
X
168
10 and 11
Short circuit electric arc\
166
7.2.7
Surface damage by fine
particles
166
7.3.1
X
X
X
X
X
X
168
15
Fogging
166
7.3.2
X
X
X
X
X
X
168
16
High speed Particles at
extremes of temperature
166
7.3.4
X
X
X
X
X
X
168
9
Marking
166
9.2
+
+
+
+
+
+
Ocular reflectance
166
7.3.3
X
X
X
X
X
X
Key
+
Empty Field
X
a
+
Measurement and
inspection
Visual inspection
167
Requirement is specified
Requirement is not specified
Optional requirement
If the requirement far increased robustness is met the requirement for minimum robustness need not be assessed.
8
3M E-Workplace
Challenge
Regulations for
testing Eyewear
2009
Basic Requirements
Field of vision (EN 168:2001)
Optical Requirements (EN 167:2001)
1. Spherical, Astigmatic and Prismatic
powers
2. Quality of Material and Surface
3. Robustness
4. Resistance to Ageing
5. Resistance to corrosion
6. Resistance to ignition
Particular Requirements
1. Protection Against optical Radiation
a. Welding Filters (EN 169)
b. UV Filters (EN 170)
c. IR Filters (EN 171)
d. Sunglare filters for Industrial use ((EN
172)
e. Welding Filters with switchable luminous
transmittance (EN 379)
2. Protection against High Speed Particles
3. Protection against molten metals and hot solids
4. Protection against droplets and splashes of liquid
5. Protection against large dust particles
6. Protection against gasses and fine dust particles
7. Protection against short circuit electric arc (face
shields only)
8. Lateral Protection
Optional Requirements
1. Resistance to surface damage by fine particles
2. Resistance to fogging of oculars (not for whole eye
wear)
3. Oculars with enhanced reflectance in the Infrared
4. Protection against high speed particles at extremes of
temperatures
ANSI Z 87.1 2003
The ANSI has a comprehensive standard on Eye protection, which outlays the requirements of an Eye Protection
Program, Eye accidents and Injury data collation and how to report eye injuries.
The Basic eye protection devices are categorized and the testing requirements, design, labeling and marking,
Instructions for use care and maintenance are suggested here.
3M E-Workplace
Challenge
Regulations for
testing Eyewear
The eye protectors are divided into 5 categories as
below. The below table mentions the category along
with the requirements.
Spectacles
a. Introduction
b. Spectacle Frame Tests
c. Basic Impact Lens Requirements
d. Plano spectacle lens requirements
e. Non - Plano spectacle lens requirements
f. Flammability
g. Corrosion Resistance
h. Cleanability
i. Replacement Spectacle lens
j. Marking
Goggles
a. Introduction
b. Impact testing Requirements
c. High Impact Testing requirements
d. Optical requirements for Plano goggles
e. Optical requirements for Non-Plano goggles
f. Flammability
g. Corrosion Resistance
h. Cleanability
i. Ventilation Requirements
j. Transmittance of Non-Lens Areas
k. Replacement Goggle lens
Marking
Face-Shield
a. Introduction
b. Impact Testing Requirements
c. High Impact testing requirements
d. Optical Requirements for plano face-shield windows
e. Requirements for wire-screen windows
f. Flammability
g. Corrosion Resistance
h. Cleanability
i. Replacement face shield windows
j. Marking
Respirators (with eye protection)
a. Introduction
b. Full face piece respirators
c. Loose fitting respirator
d. Full Face piece Welding respirator
e. Loose fitting welding respirator
2009
Welding Helmets and Handshields
a. Introduction
b. Impact Testing Requirements
c. High Impact testing requirements
d. Optical Requirements for Plano welding helmet lenses
e. Optical Requirements for Non-Plano welding helmet
lenses
f. Flammability
g. Corrosion Resistance
h. Cleanability
i. Non-lens area transmittance and light tightness
j. Replacement welding helmet lens
k. Marking
l. Transmittance requirement, Auto darkening welding
filter lenses
m. Cover lenses
Transmittance Requirements for clear Lenses, Filter
Lenses and Auto darkening Filter Lenses
a.Formulae
b.Transmittance Requirements
c. Switching Index requirements
It also elaborates gives in the TEST methods as below.
a. High Mass Impact Test
b. High Velocity Impact Test
c. Test for High impact Prescription Lenses
d. Drop Ball Impact test
e. Penetration Test
f. Flammability Test
g. Corrosion resistance test
h. Clenability test
i. Prismatic power test
j. Refractive power, Resolving Power and Astigmatism
tests
k. Haze test
l. Transmittance test
m. Switching Index test
n. Light Tightness Test
The suggestions (if any) given in this article are views of the
author, please refer to your Company Safety / Industrial
Hygiene department and select the right eye protector for the
hazard existing in your area.
3M E-Workplace
Challenge
Safety Lens
colours
For Industrial application purposes, this Lens Color
Reference Guide will help you understand the
functionality of "task-specific" lenses and how to
determine what type of lens is best for your
application and environment. It is important to
understand why there are more lens color options,
often necessary, than a Clear, Gray or Mirror lens.
The basic rule of thumb for choosing a lens is to
consider color opposites. Blue is opposite of
Yellow and Red is opposite of Green. Therefore,
Red lenses will absorb Green light and Yellow
Lenses will absorb Blue/Ultraviolet light, and vice
versa. Try on the different 3M Safety lenses and
learn for yourself the differences, functions and
benefits of the different lens colors.
Yellow/Contrast Amber Lens - absorbs Blue and
Ultraviolet light
Use a Contrast Amber lens when sharpness, acuity and
contrast are needed and to block high intensity blue
lighting such as UV and in Curing Operations. #1 Use is
UV absorption.
· Filters out hazy light that is hard on the eyes
(everything seems brighter)
· Good for working outside at Dawn and Dusk
· Good for hazy, overcast or foggy days (because of
the blue/gray light, similar to the function of a fog
light)
· Should not be used where protection from
infrared radiation is required or for night time
driving
2009
& their applications
Green/I.R. Shade Lens - blocks Red/Infrared (I.R.)
light
Use any place where there is heat.
· Good for metal making, furnace work, trash
incineration and open flames
· Protects against glare, ultraviolet and infrared
radiations
· Available in Shade 3.0 or 5.0
Gray/Silver Mirror/Blue Mirror Lenses - reduce
glare and bright light
Use to reduce glare and/or to decrease visible
brightness.
· Good for outdoor applications where a task
specific lens is not required
· Can still recognize traffic and warning signals
· Provides good color recognition (utility workers
and linespeople)
· Mirror reflects light, reducing the amount of light
that passes through the lens
Indoor/Outdoor Lens - reduces glare and bright light
The Indoor/Outdoor Lens tones everything down and
provides excellent vision in both indoor and outdoor
lighting.
· Good for applications where working both indoors
and outdoors is required.
· Allows people to wear the same pair of eyewear in
both indoor and outdoor environments
· The 3M Ultimate Indoor/Outdoor Mirror lens is the
only Indoor/Outdoor lens that reduces backside
reflection - so workers won't complain about
seeing the reflection of their eyes on the backside
of the lens, which is not only distracting but
common with other Indoor/Outdoor lenses.
3M E-Workplace
Challenge
2009
Safety Lens
colours
& their applications
The 3M Lexa MinimIzeR™ Lens - reduces infrared
(I.R.) with excellent UV absorption.
Use in low light welding applications.
· Developed specifically for people around low light
welding applications.
· Helps protect against some infrared radiation
· Helps protect against "flash burn", a common
and damaging hazard that occurs when workers
are exposed to welding arcs.
· The neutral gray color of the MinimIzeR lens has a
high visible transmittance of 50%, resulting in
excellent visual acuity
· Solves color recognition problems that are
encountered with green shaded lenses (most
other welding eyewear are an unattractive dark
green/pea green color).
3M Arc-Block™ Lens - protects against accidental
electrical arc (UV and I.R.).
Designed especially to provide protection to
linespeople and utility workers from the eye hazards of
accidental electrical arc.
· Protects against UV and "flash burn" ·
Absorbs Infrared (I.R.) to a level equal to a Shade
2.5 lens · Provides the best possible protection
and visible acuity given the fact that the usual eye
protection device used in work environments that
involve accidental arcing is a spectacle ·
Provides better color recognition than green
shaded lenses
Clear Lens - protects against UV
General-purpose safety glass.
· Provides maximum visual acuity and maximum
color recognition
at
Disclaimer
This publication is for information purposes only. While due care has been taken during the
compilation of this publication to ensure that the information is accurate to the best of 3M
knowledge and belief, the content is not to be construed in any manner whatsoever as a
substitute for professional advice.
3M shall in no way, be liable for any direct or indirect damages that may arise due to any act
or omission on the part of the user due to any reliance placed or guidance taken from any
portion of this publication.
The suggestions (if any) given in this article are views of the author, please refer to your
Company Safety / Industrial Hygiene department and select the right eye protector for the
hazard existing in your area.
Occupational Health &
Environmental Safety Division
3M India Limited
Concorde Block, UB City
24, Vittal Mallya Road, Bangalore - 560001
Tel : +91-80- 22231414/66595759 Fax : +91-80-22231450