DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 16:28:34 EST
Reply-To: Ebsegal**At_Symbol_Here**AOL.COM
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Eileen Segal <Ebsegal**At_Symbol_Here**AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Goggles and Contact Lenses
Comments: To: chemcon**At_Symbol_Here**JUNO.COM
Well, I see Jay Young and I continue to disagree. However, on my side there
are the American Chemical Society, the American Optometric Association, the
American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the American
Academy of Ophthalmology, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety,
and Prevent Blindness America, all of which have issued new guidelines that
remove most previous restrictions for wearing contact lenses in a chemical
envnironment. In addition, NIOSH has drafted a Policy Statement (not yet
published but I hear it may come out as a Current Intelligence Bulletin).
NIOSH recommends that workers be permitted to wear contact lenses when
handling hazardous chemicals provided that certain guidelines are followed. These
guidelines are similar to those in effect in most safe workplaces.
NIOSH does note that contact lenses are not eye protective devices and
wearing them does not reduce the requirement for eye and face protection.
The wearing of contact lenses does provide better visual acuity for some,
and has even protected the eye in certain incidents.
Please, see my paper in Chemical Health & Safety (Vol 4, May/June 1997, p
33) and that of Karen Messana, Occupational Health & Safety, "The Last Word on
Contacts" (2001, pp 68-69).
Eileen Segal
Segal Consults
2701 Liberty St.
Easton, PA 18045
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