1910.133(a)(3): Eye Protection for Prescription Lens Wearers
Employers must make sure each affected employee who wears prescription lenses during work with eye hazards wears eye protection with the prescription built in, or eye protection that fits over the prescription lenses without disturbing the position of either lens.
Key takeaways
- 1910.133(a)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 77 times in the last 3 years, in 74 inspections, with $515,831 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (15), IL (7), PA (7).
- 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)(3) 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
(3) The employer shall ensure that each affected employee who wears prescription lenses while engaged in operations that involve eye hazards wears eye protection that incorporates the prescription in its design, or wears eye protection that can be worn over the prescription lenses without disturbing the proper position of the prescription lenses or the protective lenses. 77 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.133.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2025 | 36 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: TN (15), IL (7), PA (7), NC (7), NV (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DAEHAN SOLUTION NEVADA, LLC. | FERNLEY, NV | $365,032 |
| NN, INC. | ALGONQUIN, IL | $11,524 |
| MAVERICK NV, LLC | ELKO, NV | $11,524 |
| DAEHAN SOLUTION NEVADA, LLC. | FERNLEY, NV | $10,372 |
| COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $10,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.133(a)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- OSHA requirement for updating Prescription Safety Glasses (2013-02-04)
- Employer liability and payment requirements for prescription protective eyewear. (2007-05-14)
- Wearing of contact lenses while welding (1982-10-22)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.133(a) General requirements 1,359 citations
- 1910.133(a)(1) 1,242 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
Are regular prescription glasses enough eye protection?
No. Employees must wear eye protection that incorporates the prescription or fits over the prescription lenses.
What are the two acceptable options?
Prescription safety eyewear, or protection worn over prescription lenses without disturbing the proper position of either lens.
Who must ensure this?
The employer.
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.