29 CFR 1926.102: Eye and face protection
The official text is on the eCFR. Below: how the section is organized, the paragraphs our CHST questions are built on, and free questions to try.
Quoted from the eCFR, current as of 2026-10-14; last amended 2016-09-01.
How 29 CFR 1926.102 is organized
- (a) General11 paragraphs
- (b) Criteria for protective eye and face protection5 paragraphs
- (c)30 paragraphs
Paragraphs our practice questions cite most
Counted across the 6 live PassCited questions on this section: our bank, not the real exam.
“(3) The employer shall ensure that each affected employee who wears prescription lenses while engaged in operations that involve eye hazards wears eye protection that incorporates the prescription in its design, or wears eye protection that can be worn over the prescription lenses without disturbing the proper position of the prescription lenses or the protective lenses.”
“(c) Protection against radiant energy—(1) Selection of shade numbers for welding filter. Table E-1 shall be used as a guide for the selection of the proper shade numbers of filter lenses or plates used in welding. Shades more dense than those listed may be used to suit the individual's needs.”
“(2) Protective eye and face protection devices that the employer demonstrates are at least as effective as protective eye and face protection devices that are constructed in accordance with one of the above consensus standards will be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of this section.”
“(2) Laser protection. (i) Employees whose occupation or assignment requires exposure to laser beams shall be furnished suitable laser safety goggles which will protect for the specific wavelength of the laser and be of optical density (O.D.) adequate for the energy involved. Table E-2 lists the maximum power or energy density for which adequate protection is afforded by glasses of optical densities from 5 through 8. Output levels falling between lines in this table shall require the higher optical density.”
Free practice questions on 29 CFR 1926.102
Question 1
A welder is using 1/8-inch electrodes for shielded metal-arc welding. The only filter plate on hand is a shade denser than the Table E-1 shade for this work, and the welder says it suits his eyes better. What is the compliant response?
Show answer and source
Answer: D. Allow it, because shades more dense than those listed may be used to suit the individual's needs
OSHA's construction eye and face protection rule, 29 CFR 1926.102(c)(1), uses Table E-1 as a guide (shade 10 for 1/8-inch shielded metal-arc electrodes) and allows shades more dense than those listed to suit the individual's needs. It does not require the exact listed shade, limit denser shades to gas welding, or require a competent person to measure arc intensity.
On the job
A foreman at a steel erection site finds a welding helper using a filter plate one shade denser than the Table E-1 guide shows for the electrode size in use. The helper says the denser lens is easier on his eyes. The foreman recognizes that Table E-1 is a guide and that denser shades may be used to suit the individual's needs, so he lets the helper keep the lens and keeps working.
Study aid, not site-specific safety advice. The official rule controls.
Answer D rests on
29 CFR 1926.102(c)(1)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“Table E-1 shall be used as a guide for the selection of the proper shade numbers of filter lenses or plates used in welding. Shades more dense than those listed may be used to suit the individual's needs.”
Question 2
A welder will do gas-shielded arc welding on ferrous metal using 5/32-inch diameter electrodes. The safety technician uses the Table E-1 shade guide to pick a filter plate. Which filter shade is the one listed for this work?
Show answer and source
Answer: D. Shade 12
Table E-1 lists shade 12 for gas-shielded arc welding on ferrous metal with electrodes of this size. Shade 11 is the listed shade for nonferrous metal. Shade 10 is listed for small-electrode shielded metal-arc welding. Shade 5 is a gas welding or cutting shade and is too light for arc welding.
On the job
A site superintendent on a pipeline construction job oversees a welder doing gas-shielded arc welding on ferrous pipe with 1/8-inch diameter electrodes. The safety technician checks the Table E-1 shade guide rather than relying on the welder's preference. The table lists shade 12 for that process and electrode size, so the technician issues helmets fitted with shade 12 filter plates before work starts.
Study aid, not site-specific safety advice. The official rule controls.
Answer D rests on
29 CFR 1926.102(c)(1)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“Gas-shielded arc welding (ferrous) 1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch diameter electrodes | 12”
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A study aid, not legal advice or an official interpretation. Always check the current eCFR text.