Tweet
hey everybody. i wear glasses. i can see pretty ok without them, but things do get a little foggy when i take them off. on the fireground, of course, i take them off. anybody have any suggestions about what i can do as far as other probucts that are out there to help in just this situation. also, somebody told me that i can buy an SCBA mask that has an insert to put glasses inside of the SCBA mask. is this true?? and if so how can i get it? thanks everyone. stay safe.
-
2009 Warren County Firefighter of the Year -
You need to consult with your SCBA manufacturer. ALL BA Mfr's have OSHA/NFPA compliant spectacle/insert kits. Use ONLY what the Mfr. of your particular unit suggests/approves.
Despite what some others may say on here, the "Military Style" rubber-strap spec kits are NOT approved- they penetrate the face seal, which is strictly verboten. As a matter of fact, the Dept of Defense NO LONGER allows use of these devices with any of their NBC masks.
Additionally, if you are an OSHA state, your department (including volunteer departments) is required to purchase the spec kit for you.
For more info, see 29 CFR 1910.134"Loyalty Above all Else. Except Honor." -
no, i dont think mississippi is a OSHA state2009 Warren County Firefighter of the YearComment
-
Originally posted by KevinFFVFD
Yep its a OSHA state here is the contact info.
Jackson Area Office
3780 I-55 North, Suite 210
Jackson, Mississippi 39211-6323
(601) 965-4606
(601) 965-4610 faxIACOJ
FTM-PTBComment
-
If you use SCOTT SCBAs/Face masks, they make a Spectacle Kit: http://www.scotthealthsafety.com/speckit.htm
They also make an Eyeglass Holder: http://www.scotthealthsafety.com/eyeglass.htm
I have worked with a guy that used the above in his SCOTT mask. He didn't seem to have any problems and could remove it if he had his contacts in. BUT as mentioned above, I would contact your local Rep. for whichever brand SCBA your department uses, even if it is SCOTT.Do it because you love it, not because you love being seen doing it.Comment
-
Get your eyes cut...I did and love it.Comment
-
I well remember having to sweep my glasses off when donning the Mk 5(was it that?)gas mask in the Navy."Usually",I'd get it in the 9 second limit but then I'd have to go hunt my glasses on the deck and on more than two cruises,ended up going without glasses for a couple weeks or one month after someone inadvertently stomped them until we got to where I could get a new set ground.ALWAYS keep a current copy of your prescription available,either in your gear grid or in whatever files on you are kept at the house.Originally posted by FWDbuff
Trust me,it'll be easier to be able to get off,head to Wal-mart and pick out new frames if needed and pick up your new glasses sooner than if you had to get an appointment and go through all that again.Comment
-
I used to use one of these in my Scott facepieces, but I found that the spectacle insert interfered with the nose cup and caused nearly incessant fogging. I tried various adjustments and tweaks, and finally gave up. That said, I also know people who use them with no problems. It may have something to do with the shape of one's face, but I don't have any specific evidence of that.Originally posted by FTMPTB15Comment
-
Yea, that's a good point. The guy I worked with never complained of having a problem with his mask fogging. At least, nothing more than usual. Have you tried on someone's mask who doesn't seem to have any problems with fogging? That also might help determine if it is the shape of your face, or a problem with the mask/spectacle insert. Interesting point.Originally posted by bobsnyderDo it because you love it, not because you love being seen doing it.Comment
-
i was talking about this with a couple of people, and one person said why dont i just get contacts. ive heard negative things about wearing contacts on the fireground. is their really any problem with that?2009 Warren County Firefighter of the YearComment
-
I used to wear glasses, and I tried a few things in my airmask. We use Scott, and their insert sucks--it's like having someone jam the rim og the glasses over the bridge of your nose. I don't know what sicko thought they were good, but he should ahve to wear the product himself.
I ended up buying a pair of Rec Specs and used these at several fires for around eight years and I never had a problem. I kept the strap on and just pushed it under my nose cone. Obviously, this isn't OSHA approved.
The Captain at my station uses contacts, and he's never had a serious problem.Logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead.Comment
-
Wearing contacts will give you a high risk of getting "stuff" under the lens and a good chance to lose them, maybe when you need them most. The facepiece inserts are notorious for fogging even worse than the facepiece. I too had the surgery (LASIK at the time) and it's worked miracles.
One more thing-- as you can see from this thread, FWDbuff has had a major knot in his safety panties over this subject for a while. Don't be bullied, make up your own mind. Not being able to see on the fireground is a major safety issue, and sometimes digging in your pocket for your glasses after pulling off your mask just isn't practical, if you operate in the real world.Comment
-
Hey Clancy- 1. Does having been a career firefighter for 10 years and a volunteer for 17 constitute "operating in the real world"? If so, whats wrong with placing your glasses on the dashboard of the truck, handing them to the pump operator, or putting them in a hard case? Never had a problem with my glasses. 2. Do you have any personal knowledge of a workers comp claim for a respiratory injury being denied "due to use of unapproved equipment?" I do. Worker using a set of the rubber strap military glasses denied bennies when he received a lung injury due to inhalation of hazardous vapors......Ultimately in the end, his employer picked up the (approx.) $325,000 costs for the injury, rehabilitation, lost time compensation, etc etc etc.Originally posted by clancyxdogg
So, once again, I say: Why use something that is not approved, that will cost YOU money, when you can get something APPROVED, that wont cost you dime one?"Loyalty Above all Else. Except Honor."Comment
-
Deep breaths, brother.Originally posted by FWDbuffLogic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead.Comment
-
See-- a response within 15 minutes. Mr. "wear-my-kind-of-specs-or-else" sure gets himself worked up over this. Like I said, don't be bullied.
I guess if I was a refinery worker, I'd be worried about OSHA and worker's comp,too. I'm not, though. Maybe Kevin isn't, either. Maybe after your "brothers" pulled you out of a fire they'd say "Oooooooh! Look at those glasses! I'm telling! " Mine wouldn't. Maybe Kevin's wouldn't, either.
Is the pump operator going to leave the panel and trudge up four flights of stairs to hand you your glasses? Do you think stuffing your gloves under your armpit and jamming your hands in your pocket while balancing a tool with your other hand on a pitched roof at night might be dangerous? How about transferring from a roof ladder to a ground ladder when your facepiece and inserts are all fogged up? Do you even wear glasses or inserts? And while we're at it, just how in the hell are you going to breathe all this stuff in wearing a positive-pressure SCBA, anyway?
"Name's FWD.
I wear a badge.
I'm a spectacle cop.
Da-da-dun -da.
Da-da-dun-DA DA! "
Sheesh. get over yourself.Comment
Comment