Hang this poster beside the goggle cabinet or the lab door, where the excuses are heard.
What is on the poster
Every lab hears the same reasons for leaving protection off. Here is what to say.
| The excuse | The answer |
|---|---|
| "I'm only watching." | Everyone in the room wears eye protection: students, teachers, staff, visitors. |
| "It's just a quick pour." | Pouring is a splash job. Goggles on before the bottle opens. |
| "Safety glasses are close enough." | Chemicals, heat and glassware need splash goggles: indirect vents, marked D3. |
| "My own glasses are enough." | Prescription built in, or goggles that fit over them. Contacts are not protection. |
| "These goggles have holes, so they don't fog." | Holes are for dust goggles and let liquid in. Indirect vents keep it out. |
| "The face shield covers my eyes." | A face shield goes over goggles or safety glasses, never alone. |
| "Any glove will do." | No glove stops every chemical. The Safety Data Sheet names the material. |
| "I'll just put on an N95." | Medical clearance, fit testing and training first, under a written program. |
| "Shared goggles are gross." | Cleaned between users by the approved method: soap and water, disinfectant or UV-C. |
Protective equipment is the last line of defense. Remove, replace or engineer out the hazard first.
Built to the Science Safety Teaching Standard
This poster carries the SSTS mark. Like every Science Safety course, it is built to the Science Safety Teaching Standard (SSTS): every rule on it is taken from the body that governs it, at its current edition, and the source is printed on the poster, so you can check it yourself.
Stay current
When you get this poster, it is saved to your Science Safety account. If we revise the poster, or the Personal Protective Equipment module it comes from changes, we will email you, and the latest version will be waiting under Downloads in your account. Every revision carries its revision number and date at the bottom of the poster, so you can tell at a glance whether the copy on your wall is current.
Printing and hanging
- One-page PDF, US letter (8.5 by 11 inches).
- White background, so it prints clearly on any office or classroom printer without using much ink.
- Hang it beside the goggle cabinet.
- The QR code in the blue title band opens this page, so anyone can get their own copy.
- The QR code at the bottom opens the Personal Protective Equipment module.
Learn more
The Personal Protective Equipment module teaches the full topic this poster comes from.
Sources:
- 29 CFR 1910.133, Eye and face protection – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (reviewed October 2, 2026)
- 29 CFR 1910.138, Hand protection – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (reviewed October 2, 2026)
- 29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory protection – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (reviewed October 2, 2026)
Poster SSP-0064, Rev. 1, October 2026.
