When are sunglasses authorized for wear?

• A. Only during port operations
• B. At the discretion of the safety officer
• C. Topside only
• D. Any time outdoors

Answer: (C)

Sunglasses are authorized to wear when you are on the exposed deck, or topside, because the sun and glare off the water can strain or injure the eyes and hinder visibility during daylight operations. Wearing them topside helps protect your eyes and keep you seeing clearly where you need to perform tasks. They aren’t meant for below-deck or enclosed spaces where lighting is limited, since sunglasses can reduce visibility in those areas. They aren’t a discretionary rule for the safety officer, nor are they limited to port operations or allowed whenever outdoors in any context—the key point is the outdoor, on-deck exposure.