Eye and Hearing Protection Guide

Protect against the actual eye hazard

Cutting, grinding and drilling can create chips or particles that may reach the eyes. Choose eye protection designed for the hazard and task, and ensure it does not obstruct the operator's view. Ordinary spectacles should not automatically be treated as safety eyewear unless they provide the required protection.

Treat noise as a workplace hazard

Some tools and workshop machinery produce significant noise. Hearing protection can be part of the control strategy where required, but it should not replace consideration of quieter equipment, isolation, maintenance^★ and exposure time. HSE guidance identifies noise as one of the hazards associated with powered cutting work.

Fit, maintain and combine PPE properly

Eye and hearing protection should remain secure during the operation and be compatible with other required PPE. Clean lenses and replace damaged equipment. Ear defenders^★ and plugs must be fitted according to their instructions. HSE guidance for hand-held cut-off saws also highlights flying debris and recommends suitable eye and ear protection as part of the overall control measures. Where several people share a workshop, protection should be available and maintained so that it is practical to use consistently. Clean shared eye protection between users and replace scratched lenses or damaged hearing protectors. If the task changes, reconsider whether the existing protection still matches the new hazard.