In 2025, OSHA issued 1,665 citations for violations of 1926.102, keeping Eye & Face Protection firmly in the Top 10. What's concerning? These incidents usually involve simple fixes: proper eyewear, job-specific lenses, or ensuring workers actually wear the PPE provided.

For safety directors, this violation is a signal: eye hazards still aren’t being fully controlled, communicated, or enforced on job sites.

Why Eye & Face Protection Continues to Rank in the Top 10

Despite advancements in PPE, OSHA cites employers year after year for the same issues:

1. Missing or inadequate PPE

Workers are exposed to:

• Flying particles
• Chemical splashes
• Hot substances
• Molten metal
• Harmful light radiation
• Dust, debris, or pressurized air

But no protective eyewear is supplied — or the wrong type is used.

2. Workers aren’t wearing the PPE provided

This usually happens because gear is:

• Uncomfortable
• Scratched or fogged
• Poorly stored
• Not job-specific
• Not enforced

Comfort = compliance. When PPE doesn’t fit or fogs up, workers remove it — and citations follow.

3. No hazard assessment or documentation

OSHA requires employers to:

• Identify eye/face hazards
• Select proper PPE
• Communicate requirements
• Document assessments and training

Miss even one of these steps, and you're at risk during an inspection.

4. Wrong PPE for the job

Examples:

• Wearing basic safety glasses around chemical splash hazards
• Wearing non-rated eyewear during grinding
• Using non-ANSI-approved lenses
• No face shield when cutting metal

ANSI Z87.1 compliance is mandatory.

What OSHA Looks for During Inspections

When OSHA reviews Eye & Face Protection compliance, they check:

• Are hazards clearly identified?
• Are workers exposed to airborne debris, liquids, or radiation?
• Is PPE ANSI Z87.1-rated and maintained in usable condition?
• Is PPE being worn correctly and consistently?
• Are face shields being used along with safety glasses where required?
• Are there training and hazard assessment documents on file?

If the answer to any of these is “no,” your facility could land on this list.

How to Stay Compliant in 2025

Perform a documented hazard assessment

Identify hazards in:

• Manufacturing
• Fabrication
• Welding
• Chemical handling
• Material cutting
• Construction
• Maintenance

This is one of OSHA’s first requests after an incident or inspection.

Provide task-specific, comfortable PPE

Examples:

• Grinding/cutting: Safety glasses + face shield
• Chemical splash: Indirect vent goggles
• High dust areas: Direct/indirect vents depending on exposure
• Welding: Shaded lenses and face protection
• Outdoor work: Anti-fog, UV-rated eyewear

Comfortable PPE = compliance.

Enforce consistent use

Even the best PPE fails if workers won’t wear it.

Improve compliance with:

• Anti-fog coatings
• Adjustable temples
• Foam-lined seals
• Lightweight models
• Scratch-resistant lenses

Train and retrain employees

Cover:

• When PPE is required
• How to fit and wear it
• Proper care and storage
• How to identify damaged PPE

Training must be documented.

Replace PPE regularly

Old, scratched, fog-prone eyewear = noncompliance.

Have a rotation or replacement plan in place — and make PPE readily accessible.

How Advanced Safety & Industrial Supply Helps

Advanced Safety & Industrial Supply supports manufacturers and contractors with:

Eye and face protection assessments
OSHA-compliant PPE recommendations
Large-volume sourcing for Z87.1 eyewear & face shields
Onsite training for employees and supervisors
Custom PPE programs and replenishment plans
Mock OSHA audits focused on high-risk areas

Whether you need anti-fog safety glasses, chemical splash goggles, face shields, or welding hoods — ASI has the expertise and product lines to protect your team.

? Ready to reduce risk and stay compliant?

Call (615) 739-3278 or visit AdvancedSafetySupply.com to schedule a safety assessment.