Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Safety Assessment Practice Test

When should safety glasses with side shields be used?

1. When working with a grinding wheel

2. When working with computers

3. When using a screwdriver

4. When around other people

The correct answer is: When working with a grinding wheel

Safety glasses with side shields are necessary when working with a grinding wheel due to the nature of the task. Grinding often produces flying debris or particles that can travel in unpredictable directions, posing a significant risk to the eyes. The side shields on safety glasses provide additional protection from these projectiles, effectively shielding the eyes from any potential hazards that occur not only from the front but also from the sides. This is particularly important in an environment where sharp objects or materials are being ground down, as the risk of injury increases significantly without proper eye protection. In contrast, the other scenarios do not typically involve the same level of risk to the eyes. Working with computers usually does not produce airborne hazards, using a screwdriver generally poses minimal risk unless the environment is particularly hazardous, and being around other people does not inherently involve flying debris or particles. Thus, the specific need for the additional protection that side shields offer is crucial in scenarios involving grinding operations.