18 Canadian Occupational Safety www.cos-mag.com 18 Canadian Occupational Safety www.cos-mag.com
E
arlier this year, a worker at
a structural steel facility in
Regina was using a hand
grinder to grind off a weld.
In addition to using the
wrong tool — he was using a zip disc
instead of a grinding stone — he did
not have a guard on the grinder. He
was also not wearing a face shield.
The grinding disc suddenly broke
apart and part of it fl ew off and stuck
in his cheek. He suffered a deep cut,
running from his mouth to the centre
of his cheek.
"He'll have a scar for the rest of
his life," says Ken Ricketts, executive
director of the Regina-based Safety
Association of Saskatchewan Manu-
facturers. "That type of injury is
traumatic, but it's not rare."
The risk of facial injury is present in
most industries and across a wide range
of work tasks. And while it's diffi cult to
know how many workers suffer facial
injuries annually — injury statistics are
often merged with eye or head injuries
— it is clear they happen frequently.
Facial cuts and burns caused by
chemicals and fl ash fi res can be dev-
astating, especially when scars or
disfi gurement produce psychological
problems, such as depression. Yet,
while we take great pains to protect
other parts of the body, particularly
the eyes, providing — and using — the
proper protective equipment for the
face is often neglected.
Face shields and helmets protect
against such hazards as chemical
splash, airborne debris, fl ying objects,
radiation and extreme heat. They are
also commonly used against dust,
woodworking and sanding.
Most face shields are made of poly-
carbonate, which is durable, scratch
and impact resistant and protects
against UV radiation. Shields are
also made of propionate and acetate,
which are less impact resistant than
polycarbonate.
Face shields should be selected with
the risk assessment in mind, Ricketts
says. Companies using chemicals can
consult the safety data sheet, which
will specify the kind of face shield to
be used. Generally, the two main crite-
ria are fi t and coverage: the shield must
be of a size and shape to completely
cover the area that may be affected by
whatever hazard is present.
"If the worker is primarily working
with the head inclined downwards,
and the material you're protecting
against is fl ying debris, it should cover
more than just the face. It should go
back somewhat over the crown of the
head so that pieces don't fl y in the air,
By Linda Johnson
wrong tool — he was using a zip disc
was also not wearing a face shield.
Association of Saskatchewan Manu-
Saving
Personal protective face
equipment not getting
the spotlight it deserves
face
