May 1, 1989
20.4.126
The grievor, sought the provision of eye protection under the Occupational Safety and Health Standard 3-14 - Personal Protective Equipment - and the Administrative Policy Manual, Chapter 260, in that the employer provide eye protection by providing the grievor with prescription sunglasses to perform his duties as an air traffic controller.
The Administrative Committee noted that the Occupational Safety and Health Committee reported that Section 3.5 of the Protective Clothing Policy provided as follows:
"Prescription safety lenses are not provided except in situations when eye protection is required and it is impractical to wear protection over glasses because of distortion."
The Administrative Committee considered and agreed with the report of the Occupational Safety and Health Committee in that the department had acted within the intent of the Standard.
The grievance was denied.
The Administrative Committee further agreed with the report of the Occupational Safety and Health Committee in that Section 3.5 of the Standard had not been developed to describe protection required by employees from such hazards as the infra-red and ultra-violet rays produced by the sun. Therefore the Occupational Safety and Health Committee should study the requirements for such protection, including whether the protection required was protection for the user or for the travelling public, and report.