Federal Safety Standard Closes the Gap in Eyewear Protection

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 2000 U.S. workers sustain a job-related eye injury each day that requires medical treatment. This includes oral health professionals, who are subject to spatter, aerosols and debris generated during routine dental procedures.

After suffering an eye injury from amalgam debris during restorative care, Peter Arsenault, DMD, a professor and division head of operative dentistry in the Department of Comprehensive Care at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, began researching more effective means of eye protection. His research and advocacy helped bring about a new federal standard for eye and face protection from healthcare-related exposures.

Under the auspices of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), ANSI/ISEA Z87.62-2021 is the first federal guidance to standardize eye and face protection against bloodborne pathogens and debris. Adopted this past July, it is officially known as the American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection Devices for Preventing Exposures Caused by Sprays or Spurts of Blood or Body Fluids.

The guidance largely stems from Arsenault’s data. Together with an engineer colleague, Arsenault studied the space between safety glasses and other eye protection devices and the user’s cheek, otherwise known as the bottom gap that can allow blood, debris, and other potentially infectious material (OPIM) to bypass the eyewear. In turn, his research was replicated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. These efforts led to the development of a new standard that requires employers to provide eye protection that obstructs the bottom gap, either through specially designed masks, face shields or other means. The guidance applies to clinical employees of any kind, including healthcare providers, clinical researchers, veterinary teams and first responders.

According to ISEA, ANSI/ISEA Z87.62-2021 establishes criteria related to the general requirements, testing, permanent markings, selection, care, and use of protectors to minimize or prevent exposure to the user’s eyes and face (including mucocutaneous exposure) caused by blood, bodily fluids and similar OPIM. The association notes that, as a first iteration, the initial standard is not all-encompassing of every biological hazard; for example, the test criteria specifically do not assess aerosolized pathogens — though officials suggest aerosol exposure may be considered in subsequent versions.