Eye Protection

Making the appropriate eye protection available for your employees can reduce the risk and severity of any eye injuries. When eye accidents occur, they can vary in severity, from a small cut or irritation due to flying metal or a wood chip, through to partial or total blindness. Therefore, it’s essential to have the right type of protection and for employees to wear it when appropriate.

There is a wide range of eye protection products available, including safety goggles and glasses, depending on the type of work a person is undertaking and the level of protection they require. When you’re choosing eye protection for your workforce, you need to factor in the specific hazards that are present: how workers might be exposed; what other protective systems are in place; and what the vision requirements of individuals are.

Types of hazards

Industrial and manufacturing sites have many potential risk factors, and it’s vital that these are assessed correctly and the appropriate eyewear is worn by all those who are open to the dangers.

These can include splashes from metals or chemicals, as well as radiation or vapour from gases. Those operating power tools have the potential for debris or chippings to get into their eyes, and in areas where there are molten metals or radiant heat present, hot liquids could splash the eyes or sparks could be emitted. Other hazards can come from optical radiation or intense light, which in sectors involving lasers or welding can be emitted at a level that risks injury.

Specialist eye protection should be used as the last line of defence, after all other safety procedures have failed. Therefore, it’s vital to not just look at how you can protect workers in these situations but also how you can mitigate the level of risk in the first instance.

Eye protection buying guide

As there is such a variety of safety eyewear on the market, it’s important to select the products that are best suited to the individual setting. This will provide workers with the right level of protection, while enabling them to carry out their work unhindered.

There are several job roles that can require specialist eye protection, including construction, manufacturing, car repairs, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, welding and general maintenance. To choose the appropriate eyewear for each task, you need to consider the type of hazard, the protection that is suitable, and which type of lens you should have.

Forms of eye protection

Not all safety eyewear is the same, and you need to consider what options are the most beneficial for your individual circumstances.

Safety glasses provide a comfortable fit for users and come in a selection of styles. However, they won’t protect against dust, molten metal or gas getting into the eye.

Safety goggles can be used on top of standard prescription glasses and offer protection from all risks. If you also require protection for the face, a safety face shield can be used, but this won’t keep out gases or dust.

Lens styles

It’s possible to have different styles of lens fitted to the eye protection, which can enhance vision in certain circumstances or provide additional protection.

Clear lenses are suitable for general applications inside that need impact protection. Smoke lenses give protection from the sun, hazardous lights and excessive glare but still enable the full recognition of colours.

Yellow lenses are suitable in low-level light situations, artificial light and during dusk and dawn. Indoor/outdoor styles have a light tint to the lens that is best suited to workers who move from inside to outside regularly.

In circumstances where infrared or ultraviolet radiation is a risk factor, specialist infrared lenses can be used. These are not suitable for general use.

Anti-mist or anti-scratch products are also available to prevent a user’s vision from being obstructed.

FAQs

Does safety eyewear provide protection from UVA and UVB rays?

Those safety glasses that are manufactured with polycarbonate lenses will provide 99% absorption of UV light.

What happens if I require prescription eyewear?

For workers who already wear prescription glasses, some safety goggles can be worn over the top of them. It’s also possible to have prescription safety glasses manufactured if you’re going to be wearing them regularly.

Do I need non-vented, indirect vented or vented goggles?

This will depend on the level of protection that you require from liquids, dust and vapour. Non-vented products offer full protection, whereas vented eyewear is suited for impact risks. Indirect vented goggles give protection through a covered vent that circulates air but stops liquids getting in.