If you work in an industrial environment that requires safety glasses or even safety goggles you need to know which is the best protection for your eyes.
We take a look at safety glasses and things like safety goggles to help you decide which is most suitable for your occupation.
Eye Hazards In The Workplace
Hazards to your eyes can come in all different forms and may manifest in the short or long term depending on the tasks that you are doing.
One of the most obvious and common hazards to eyes is flying debris such as from yard work, or DIY projects, but there are others that need to be considered too.
Thus, you need eyeglasses that allow plenty of light in while also helping to protect your eyes while you are wearing the lenses.
Dust and chemicals are other more common hazards in the workplace for your eyes as well as for your lungs.
While most workers would not consider working in these environments without a respirator many will work without a pair of safety glasses or protective eyewear, which should be avoided.
You will want adequate lenses that help to preserve your vision and reduce eye strain while also providing things like uvb protection from uv radiation, and protection from flying debris.
However, you may also want stylish glasses as well as prescription eyewear, which can make the search a bit more difficult.
Regardless, you should also look for anti scratch properties, and even tinted lenses, if you are working bright environments.
You will want to make sure that such glasses have a proper fit like regular eyeglasses, and then supplement that with a sleek design that works in tandem with a snug fit.
Some potential hazards are not immediately obvious like ultraviolet and infrared light. Others like blood borne pathogens may be specific to particular occupations.
And then there is the hazard of impact from bits of debris such as wood, concrete, metal or glass.
So, there are plenty of hazards for your eyes in the workplace, but luckily there are also lots of safety glasses, goggles and other protective eyewear too.
Types Of Protective Eyewear
Let’s take a look at some of the different types of protective eyewear.
Safety Glasses
Safety glasses come in a variety of shapes and sizes and with varying features. The code for each safety feature of the glasses is typically etched into the lens or inside one of the arms of the glasses.
Safety features include UV light protection, impact resistance, dust and splash protection and welding protection on a sliding scale.
Many also offer anti fog properties that reduce fogging in different conditions while you are wearing them.
The frames of such glasses can also have an impact, as the frame can make the difference between lightweight glasses that are easy on the ears, or glasses that you will constantly need to adjust as you work, which can add extra pressure.
Safety Goggles
Unlike safety glasses a pair of safety goggles will protect the wearer’s eyes from all directions. They are the best protection for high risk hazards.
A seal is formed around the eye area by the goggles and so protects against fumes, smoke, and fine dust particles.
Safety goggles can also be worn on top of prescription glasses, which is great if you have very specific lenses in your glasses, and means you won't have to wear a clumsy face shield, and can keep wearing your prescription frames with your own prescription lenses, as you see fit.
It is best to go for goggles with good ventilation, so that fogging is prevented entirely while you are wearing them.
This will keep fog from building up on the lens as you work. As well as that, they can also just look very cool!
Face Shield
A face shield should be worn in conjunction with a pair of safety glasses or goggles for added protection.
They are used by workers who are exposed to hazards such as blood borne pathogens, chemicals or extreme heat.
Which Occupations Will Require Safety Glasses Or Protective Eyewear?
The need to wear eye protection while doing your job will depend on the kind of work that you do.
There are several occupations where you should wear protective eyewear and the type required will depend on the specific task.
Construction
Most construction workers will need some kind of protection for their eyes.
The hazards they are exposed to range from impact, dust, chemical splashes and debris. Safety glasses or goggles will be most appropriate depending on the task.
Carpentry
Working with wood means being exposed to dust, debris and impact so a pair of safety glasses is recommended.
Welding
Welding is a dangerous occupation and poses a direct hazard to eyes through extreme heat, ultraviolet and infrared light and debris. Welders should wear a combination of safety glasses or goggles with a face shield.
Electrical Work
Linemen and electricians should wear protective eyewear to shield their eyes from debris, sparks and dust. Most importantly this eye protection should be dielectric or non-conductive.
Auto Repair
Automotive workers and mechanics should wear safety glasses or goggles to protect against metal shards, debris or chemical splashes.
Plumbers
Those who work in plumbing may be exposed to impact or splash hazards and should wear safety glasses or goggles as appropriate.
If plumbers carry out any welding work they should combine these with a face shield.
Mining
Miners should wear safety goggles as part of their full personal protective equipment or PPE. Depending on the type of mining they may have to wear a full respirator with face protection.
OSHA Standards
There are some general requirements for eye protection in the workplace and this is overseen by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
It is the responsibility of employers to ensure that workers who may be exposed to hazards wear the most appropriate eye protection.
This could mean providing goggles with all round protection or face shields with the right filters.
OSHA also specifies that prescription glasses need to be taken into account when providing safety goggles and face shields to employees.
Some safety glasses and goggles will fit over prescription glasses or there is the option to have the protective glasses made to an employee’s personal prescription.
All safety glasses, goggles and face shields need to comply with the ANSI Z87.1 standards.
Types Of Safety Glasses And Goggles
Protective eyewear comes in many different styles and with various features. The most important thing about safety eyewear is to ensure it protects the eyes of the wearer.
Second to this is comfort, if the protective eyewear is not comfortable employees may not wear them.
Safety Glasses
Many safety glasses will be padded on the temples and the bridge of the nose. There is also the option to have various colored tints on the lenses.
This can help with reducing glare, increasing contrast or for things like blue light curing.
Safety glasses provide low impact protection and are typically made from metal or plastic.
They can be made to a specific prescription if needed and the lens come in a variety of colors for added protection
However, safety glasses won’t protect you adequately from the sides when it comes to small particles, unless they are equipped with side protection.
They can be used in conjunction with face shields to protect against high heat or ultraviolet and infrared light.
Safety Goggles
Safety goggles should have a close fit to the face, creating a seal around the eyes to protect against dust, vapor and splashes. The lenses are often scratch and fog resistant.
There are both stiff and flexible versions of safety goggles, and they can have direct, indirect or no ventilation. They can also be used with face shields.
Protecting Your Eyes At Work
The best way to protect your eyes at work is to be aware of all the potential dangers and hazards.
Although you should wear protective eyewear it is also the last line of defense and efforts should be made to minimize or eliminate the hazards first.
In a hazardous environment or when doing dangerous work all PPE including safety glasses, goggles or face shields should be worn.
Maintaining your protective eyewear is important so if they become damaged, scratched or ineffective they should be replaced.
Making Safety A Top Priority
Safety in the workplace should always be a top priority and protecting your eyes is vital in any job. The cost of safety should be balanced against the cost of injury to workers.
Where there is an obvious risk of eye injury the appropriate measures should be taken to eliminate or at least reduce the danger.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide to safety glasses and protective eyewear has been helpful and will allow you to choose the right eye protection for your workplace.