1910.133(a)(1): When eye and face protection is required (general industry)
The employer must make sure each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.
Key takeaways
- 1910.133(a)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 1,242 times in the last 3 years, in 1,236 inspections, with $3,405,465 in current penalties.
- 13 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (145), MN (123), MD (103).
- Related part: 1910.133(a) General requirements (1,359 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.133 Eye and face protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(1) The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation. 1,242 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.133.
Injuries linked to this rule
13 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.133(a)(1).
At approximately 9:30 a.m. on February 25, 2025, Employee #1 was using a chain saw to cut a section of a tree trunk that was lying horizontally with its root ball positioned vertically, 90 degrees to the ground. After the trunk section was cut, the…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 72 |
| 2024 | 447 |
| 2025 | 440 |
| 2026 | 283 |
Top states: TN (145), MN (123), MD (103), VA (60), NY (56)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DAEHAN SOLUTION NEVADA, LLC. | FERNLEY, NV | $684,528 |
| SHREEM TULSA OPS, LLC. | TULSA, OK | $82,750 |
| FITNESS MEMBER SERVICES, LLC | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $35,465 |
| M & H CRATES, INC. | JACKSONVILLE, TX | $21,903 |
| 111860 - STAPLES ENTERPRISES INC DBA HERON LAKE EXPRESSWAY | HERON LAKE, MN | $20,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.133(a)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Request to provide list of corrosive materials and concentrations requiring use of emergency eyewashes and showers. (2008-04-14)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.133(a) General requirements 1,359 citations
- 1910.133(a)(3) 77 citations
- 1910.133(a)(2) 25 citations
- 1910.133(a)(5) 12 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Who must ensure eye protection is used?
The employer.
Does welding light count as a hazard?
Yes. Potentially injurious light radiation is one of the listed hazards.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.133 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.