SafeWork NSW Eye Protection Requirements,What Is Legally Required on Site

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), employers have a primary duty of care to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers are not exposed to health and safety risks. For construction, manufacturing, and industrial workplaces, this includes providing and maintaining appropriate eye protection where a hazard to eyes is identified through the risk assessment process.

The Relevant Australian Standard: AS/NZS 1337

AS/NZS 1337 covers eye and face protectors for occupational use. It is the standard referenced by SafeWork NSW when prescribing appropriate eye protection. The standard has multiple parts covering different types of protectors and hazards:

• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye protectors,general use, including impact, dust, and liquid splash
• AS/NZS 1337.4: Welding filters and eye protectors
• AS/NZS 1337.6: Prescription eye protectors

Any eye protection used to meet a legal requirement must be marked with the relevant AS/NZS 1337 designation. "Safety glasses" sold without this marking,including many low-cost imports,do not satisfy the legal requirement, even if they look similar to certified products.

What Employers Must Do

• Conduct a risk assessment identifying tasks where eye hazards exist
• Provide appropriate certified eye protection at no cost to workers
• Ensure eye protection is properly maintained and replaced when damaged
• Train workers in correct use and limitations of eye protection
• Enforce the use of eye protection in identified hazard areas

What Workers Must Do

• Wear provided eye protection when required by site rules or risk assessment
• Not modify or damage eye protection
• Report damaged eye protection for replacement
• If wearing prescription glasses: advise employer, who must provide suitable prescription safety eyewear or approved over-spec options

Pre-Employment and Periodic Eye Tests

Many employers in construction and manufacturing require pre-employment vision screening. Dr Tahiri provides comprehensive eye assessments for workers at Prime Optometrists Auburn, including reports suitable for employment medical purposes.