When must employees be provided with eye and face protection?

Employees must be provided with eye and face protection when operations present potential eye or face injury because it is essential to ensure safety in environments where there are risks of hazards such as flying debris, chemical splashes, or intense light. Regulatory standards, such as those set forth by OSHA, specify that protective equipment is required in situations where there is a reasonable expectation of such hazards. This is designed to proactively prevent injuries by ensuring that employees utilize the necessary protective gear in their work environments.

The other scenarios outlined do not universally justify the need for eye and face protection. For example, working in dim lighting might not involve any specific risks to the eyes or face, and using hand tools does not always imply a danger that would necessitate such protection. Additionally, requiring protection only during hazardous training overlooks the broader context of everyday work conditions where the potential for injury exists. Therefore, the correct approach focuses on the nature of the operations and the associated risks that necessitate the use of protective equipment.