Product Overview

Summary: This Eye and Face Protection Guidelines Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical requirements for selecting, using and maintaining protective eyewear and face shields across your workplace. It helps Australian businesses control eye and facial injury risks, demonstrate WHS due diligence, and give workers confidence that their vision is protected on every task.

Eye and facial injuries can occur in seconds and have life‑altering consequences, yet they are among the most preventable workplace injuries. This Eye and Face Protection Guidelines Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, easy‑to‑implement framework for ensuring workers have the right level of protection whenever they are exposed to flying particles, chemicals, radiation, dust, or biological materials. It translates Australian WHS obligations and relevant standards into clear, step‑by‑step instructions that can be applied across construction, manufacturing, laboratories, workshops, healthcare, and service environments.

The SOP covers the full lifecycle of eye and face protection: hazard assessment, PPE selection, fitting and use, cleaning and storage, inspection and replacement, and incident response. It defines roles and responsibilities for PCBUs, supervisors and workers, sets out training and competency requirements, and embeds practical tools such as pre‑task checklists and risk‑based selection matrices. By implementing this document, organisations can reduce preventable injuries, improve compliance with WHS legislation, and create a consistent, defensible approach to eye and face protection that stands up to regulator or insurer scrutiny.

Designed specifically for the Australian context, this SOP references key AS/NZS standards and aligns with Safe Work Australia guidance. It is suitable for integration into existing safety management systems, toolbox talks, induction programs and contractor management processes, helping you standardise expectations and performance across employees, labour‑hire workers and subcontractors.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the incidence and severity of eye and facial injuries by standardising when and how eye and face protection must be used.
• Ensure alignment with Australian WHS legislation and relevant AS/NZS standards for eye and face protection.
• Improve worker buy‑in and correct PPE use through clear instructions, fit guidance and training requirements.
• Streamline supervisor decision‑making with risk‑based selection criteria for goggles, safety glasses, face shields and specialised protection.
• Strengthen incident investigations and insurance defensibility by documenting a robust, repeatable process for managing eye and face hazards.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Site Supervisors and Leading Hands
• Workshop and Maintenance Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Laboratory Managers
• Manufacturing and Production Managers
• Warehouse and Logistics Supervisors
• Facilities and Operations Managers
• Small Business Owners in Trades and Services

Hazards Addressed

• Flying particles from grinding, cutting, drilling and machining operations
• Chemical splashes and aerosols from handling, mixing or decanting substances
• Dust, fibres and particulate matter causing eye irritation or injury
• Molten metal splash and hot work sparks during welding, cutting and brazing
• Optical radiation from welding arcs, UV curing, and high‑intensity light sources
• Biological contamination from blood or body fluids in healthcare and laboratory settings
• Impact hazards from tools, equipment, or materials under tension or pressure
• Wind‑blown debris and environmental exposure on outdoor worksites

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Objectives
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Officers, Supervisors, Workers, Contractors)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Eye and Face Injuries
• 6.0 Selection Criteria for Eye and Face Protection (Risk‑Based Matrix)
• 7.0 Types of Eye and Face Protection and Their Appropriate Use
• 8.0 Fitting, Adjustment and User Checks
• 9.0 Use Requirements in Specific Work Areas and Tasks
• 10.0 Compatibility with Other PPE (Respirators, Helmets, Hearing Protection)
• 11.0 Cleaning, Disinfection, Storage and Maintenance
• 12.0 Inspection, Replacement and Disposal of Damaged PPE
• 13.0 Training, Induction and Competency Requirements
• 14.0 Contractor and Visitor Eye and Face Protection Requirements
• 15.0 Incident Reporting, First Aid and Emergency Response for Eye Injuries
• 16.0 Monitoring, Audit and Continuous Improvement
• 17.0 Document Control, Review and Recordkeeping
• Appendix A – Eye and Face Protection Selection Guide
• Appendix B – Pre‑Use Inspection Checklist
• Appendix C – Sample Toolbox Talk / Training Outline
• Appendix D – Risk Assessment Template for Eye and Face Hazards

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations – Part 3.1 Managing risks to health and safety, and Part 3.2 General workplace management
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities
• AS/NZS 1336: Eye and face protection – Guidelines
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protection – Eye and face protectors for occupational applications
• AS/NZS 1337.6: Personal eye protection – Prescription eye protectors for industrial applications
• AS/NZS 1338 series: Filters for eye protectors
• AS/NZS 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems (ISO 45001 as adopted in Australia)