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Contact lenses during welding

Summary An OSHA region asked whether workers could wear contact lenses while welding. OSHA said contact lenses were acceptable when workers used required eye protection, unless the process produced gas or vapors harmful to a contact lens wearer.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1982-10-22
Date issued
October 22, 1982
Status
Active
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Eye Protection
Source
View the official document

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About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

October 22, 1982

MEMORANDUM FOR: JAMES W. LAKE
REGIONAL ADMINISRATOR
THRU: JOHN B. MILES, JR.
DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF FIELD COORDINATION
FROM: PATRICK R. TYSON DIRECTOR
FEDERAL COMPLIANCE AND STATE PROGRAMS
SUBJECT: Wearing of Contact Lens While Welding
REFERENCE: Region VII Memorandum dated September 27, 1982.

The OSHA policy regarding the wearing of contact lens in industry is consistent with the attached position set forth by the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness (Secretariat for the ANSI Z87.1 - Committee).
If properly protected in accordance with the OSHA Standards applicable to eye protection (ANSI Z87.1-1968) during the welding operation the use of contact lenses is acceptable. The exception to this would be where the welding process may produce gas or vapors that could be harmful to employees wearing contact lenses.

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