Accreditation audits are more than a checklist exercise – they’re a window into how safety practices hold up in the real world. Out in the field, small oversights can quickly become serious risks. In Safety Snapshot, auditors share trends and observations from job sites across the country – practical reminders of where crews are getting it right and where vigilance is needed. Each installment will highlight real-world issues, explain why they matter and reinforce the best practices that protect crews, companies and the public.

Field observation

Auditor-trainee Bob Mead talks with CS Tree Service Inc. crew leader Ryan O’Quinn, CTSP. Ryan likes his visor for secondary eye protection, even while operating equipment, but he still wears safety glasses for primary eye protection. Photo courtesy of the authors.

TCIA staff and TCIA-approved auditors have observed divergent practices at companies regarding helmet-face-shield-and-eye-protection usage. At some companies, face shields alone are used as eye protection, while at other companies, employees must wear Z87.1 eye protection and deploy the Z87.1 helmet shield as extra protection.

What auditors are noticing

Some companies, based on their PPE Hazard Assessment, consider face shields to provide sufficient eye protection, as long as employees keep the shield down during work operations. In these cases, companies rely on employees to use the shield correctly and consistently.

This approach can also lead to confusion in company safety policies, as it can be challenging to clearly define and enforce guidelines.

Why this matters

There is clarity on this issue in both the ANSI Z133 arboricultural safety standard and the ANSI Z87.1 eye-and-face protection standard. Z133 states specifically that Z87.1 eye protection shall be worn. ANSI Z87.1 is specific in that eye protection is provided by safety glasses, and face protection is provided by face shields – and the two items are different and separate. In other words: Face shields are designed and tested to provide face protection, but not primary eye protection, especially where flying debris is concerned.

Common contributing factors

The introduction of effective, easy-to-wear and easy-to-deploy face shields is a plus for the industry. Arborists now have better face and eye protection at their fingertips than ever before; however, a Z87.1 helmet face shield is still not considered Z87.1-compliant eye protection.

Best practices

Arborists and tree workers need to wear Z87.1 eye protection during all arboricultural operations. Z87.1 safety glasses are considered primary eye protection and are worn to stay compliant with industry safety standards. Use of a Z87.1 helmet face shield provides secondary eye protection, but is not considered primary eye protection.

A practical reminder for crews

During most arboricultural operations:

• Use of Z87.1 safety glasses (primary eye protection) is required.
• Use of Z87.1 helmet face shields is a best practice.
• Use of Z87.1+ is a good addition. Z87.1+ provides a higher degree of impact protection than the Z87.1 rating.

Conclusion

Always wear primary Z87.1 safety glasses under your helmet visor to ensure full eye protection.

This issue was shared by Bob Rouse, TCIA’s senior vice president of business support; and Bob Mead, CTSP, TCIA-approved Auditor trainee and retired founder of Mead Tree and Turf Care in Woodbine, Maryland.