Chemical Splash Goggles Toolbox Talk

Chemical splash goggles protect the eyes from liquids, mist, sprays, and splashes that can cause burns, irritation, or permanent injury. Safety glasses alone usually do not seal around the eyes and may allow chemicals to reach the face from the sides, top, or bottom.

This talk focuses on when chemical splash goggles are required, how to inspect and wear them correctly, how to keep them clean, and when to stop work because eye protection is not enough for the hazard.

Why This Matters

• Chemicals can damage the eyes in seconds, even from a small splash or mist.
• Mixing, pouring, spraying, pumping, cleaning, and pressure washing can create unexpected splash hazards.
• Goggles must seal against the face to keep liquid from reaching the eyes.
• Scratched, fogged, cracked, or dirty lenses can block vision and increase other jobsite risks.
• Goggles must work with face shields, respirators, hard hats, hoods, and other PPE without gaps.

Common Hazards

• Using safety glasses instead of sealed chemical splash goggles during chemical handling.
• Wearing goggles with cracked lenses, stretched straps, damaged seals, clogged vents, or chemical residue.
• Removing goggles while still in the splash area to wipe sweat, adjust a respirator, or clear fogging.
• Mixing chemicals too fast and causing splashback from buckets, tanks, drums, sprayers, or pumps.
• Wearing goggles over prescription glasses in a way that breaks the seal or creates pressure points.
• A nearby crew spraying, washing, coating, or transferring chemicals upwind of workers who are not wearing splash protection.

Safety Checklist

Before Work Begins

• Review the chemical label, safety data sheet, and task plan to confirm required eye and face protection.
• Select chemical splash goggles that are rated for liquid splash and fit the worker’s face.
• Inspect lenses, frames, seals, straps, vents, and adjustment points for cracks, wear, residue, or missing parts.
• Make sure goggles seal around the eyes without gaps at the nose, cheeks, forehead, or temples.
• Confirm goggles work with prescription eyewear, respirators, face shields, hard hats, and hoods.
• Locate eyewash stations, wash water, spill supplies, and the clean area for removing contaminated PPE.

During Work

• Keep goggles on and sealed while mixing, pouring, spraying, cleaning, transferring, or working near chemicals.
• Use a face shield over goggles when there is a high splash risk or pressure release hazard.
• Pour and mix slowly to reduce splashback, foaming, and sudden reactions.
• Step out of the splash area before adjusting, cleaning, or removing goggles.
• Clean fogged or dirty goggles using approved methods instead of wiping them with contaminated gloves.
• Store goggles in a clean, dry place where they will not be scratched, crushed, or contaminated.

Crew Talking Points

• What chemicals are being used or transferred today?
• Where are the splash zones around buckets, pumps, hoses, drums, sprayers, and wash areas?
• Do we need goggles only, or goggles with a face shield for added protection?
• Where is the nearest eyewash station, and is it accessible?
• Are any goggles scratched, fogged, cracked, loose, contaminated, or not sealing correctly?
• Speak up if your goggles do not seal, block your vision, fog up, or do not fit with other required PPE.

Stop Work If

• Required chemical splash goggles are not available or not rated for the hazard.
• Goggles are cracked, scratched, fogged, loose, contaminated, or missing seals, straps, vents, or parts.
• The goggles do not seal around the worker’s face or do not fit with other required PPE.
• Workers must handle chemicals without an accessible eyewash station or emergency wash plan.
• A chemical splash reaches the eyes, face, skin, or inside the goggles.
• The chemical, splash risk, or required PPE is not understood before the task begins.

Final Reminder

Chemical splash goggles must seal and stay on while exposure is possible. Use the right goggles, keep eyewash access clear, and stop work when eye protection does not match the hazard.