1910.133(a): Eye and face protection in general industry
Employers must make sure affected workers use proper eye or face protection when exposed to flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or harmful light radiation. Side protection is required where objects can fly, prescription wearers need protection that includes or fits over their glasses, protectors must be marked with the manufacturer, and filter lenses must have the right shade number for welding, cutting and similar work.
Key takeaways
- 1910.133(a) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 1,359 times in the last 3 years, in 1,325 inspections, with $4,029,996 in current penalties.
- 13 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (161), MN (125), MD (107).
- Related part: 1910.133(a)(1) (1,242 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.133(a) ("General requirements") is one requirement inside 1910.133 Eye and face protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 5 sub-paragraphs. 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
(a) General requirements. 1,359 citations
(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. Open (a)(1) 1,242 citations
(2) The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses eye protection that provides side protection when there is a hazard from flying objects. Detachable side protectors (e.g. clip-on or slide-on side shields) meeting the pertinent requirements of this section are acceptable. Open (a)(2) 25 citations
(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. Open (a)(3) 77 citations
(4) Eye and face PPE shall be distinctly marked to facilitate identification of the manufacturer. 1 citations
(5) The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses equipment with filter lenses that have a shade number appropriate for the work being performed for protection from injurious light radiation. The following is a listing of appropriate shade numbers for various operations. Open (a)(5) 12 citations
| Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Operations | Electrode Size 1⁄32 in. | Arc Current | Minimum* Protective Shade |
| Shielded metal arc welding | Less than 3 | Less than 60 | 7 |
| 3-5 | 60-160 | 8 | |
| 5-8 | 160-250 | 10 | |
| More than 8 | 250-550 | 11 | |
| Gas metal arc welding and flux cored arc welding | less than 60 | 7 | |
| 60-160 | 10 | ||
| 160-250 | 10 | ||
| 250-500 | 10 | ||
| Gas Tungsten arc welding | less than 50 | 8 | |
| 50-150 | 8 | ||
| 150-500 | 10 | ||
| Air carbon | (Light) | less than 500 | 10 |
| Arc cutting | (Heavy) | 500-1000 | 11 |
| Plasma arc welding | less than 20 | 6 | |
| 20-100 | 8 | ||
| 100-400 | 10 | ||
| 400-800 | 11 | ||
| Plasma arc cutting | (light)** | less than 300 | 8 |
| (medium)** | 300-400 | 9 | |
| (heavy)** | 400-800 | 10 | |
| Torch brazing | 3 | ||
| Torch soldering | 2 | ||
| Carbon arc welding | 14 | ||
| Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Operations | Plate thickness—inches | Plate thickness—mm | Minimum* Protective Shade |
| Gas Welding: | |||
| Light | Under 1/8 | Under 3.2 | 4 |
| Medium | 1/8 to 1/2 | 3.2 to 12.7 | 5 |
| Heavy | Over 1/2 | Over 12.7 | 6 |
| Oxygen cutting: | |||
| Light | Under 1 | Under 25 | 3 |
| Medium | 1 to 6 | 25 to 150 | 4 |
| Heavy | Over 6 | Over 150 | 5 |
| * As a rule of thumb, start with a shade that is too dark to see the weld zone. Then go to a lighter shade which gives sufficient view of the weld zone without going below the minimum. In oxyfuel gas welding or cutting where the torch produces a high yellow light, it is desirable to use a filter lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in the visible light of the (spectrum) operation. | |||
| ** These values apply where the actual arc is clearly seen. Experience has shown that lighter filters may be used when the arc is hidden by the workpiece. | |||
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).
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 | 80 |
| 2024 | 480 |
| 2025 | 494 |
| 2026 | 305 |
Top states: TN (161), MN (125), MD (107), OH (64), VA (62)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DAEHAN SOLUTION NEVADA, LLC. | FERNLEY, NV | $1,049,560 |
| SHREEM TULSA OPS, LLC. | TULSA, OK | $82,750 |
| FITNESS MEMBER SERVICES, LLC | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $35,465 |
| MAVERICK NV, LLC | ELKO, NV | $27,655 |
| DAEHAN SOLUTION NEVADA, LLC. | FERNLEY, NV | $24,890 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.133(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- OSHA requirement for updating Prescription Safety Glasses (2013-02-04)
- Request to provide list of corrosive materials and concentrations requiring use of emergency eyewashes and showers. (2008-04-14)
- Employer liability and payment requirements for prescription protective eyewear. (2007-05-14)
- Detachable vs. permanent side shields for safety glasses; modifications to safety glasses. (2007-01-29)
- Wearing of contact lenses while welding (1982-10-22)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.133(a)(1) 1,242 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
Do safety glasses need side shields?
Yes, when there is a hazard from flying objects. Clip-on or slide-on side shields that meet the standard are acceptable.
How do I pick a welding lens shade?
Paragraph (a)(5) lists minimum shade numbers by operation and electrode size or arc current.
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.