Industrial Eye Protection

Employers shall ensure that each employee uses appropriate industrial eye or face protection (including side protection) when exposed to eye or face hazards which include flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation. Anyone working in or passing through areas that pose eye hazards should also wear appropriate industrial protective eye wear at such times.

Many styles of eye protection safety glasses are available today. Look for safety glasses that offer full coverage of the entire orbital eye area. If the workplace requires that safety glasses must be worn all day, search for lightweight safety glasses that will not contribute to worker fatigue. Many eye protection safety glasses feature custom fitting attributes, like adjustable nose bridges and temples, which provide added comfort and enhanced fitting. Eyewear compliance is greatly improved when the right combination of style, comfort and fit is achieved.

Most eye protection safety glasses are available with either a hard coating to protect the surfaces of the lens and to help prevent pre-mature scratching, or other coatings that may have anti-fog, anti-scratch, anti-static and anti-UV properties. Safety lenses are available in a variety of tints for specific workplace applications:
Clear – For use in general purpose applications

Yellow (Contrast Amber) – Use when sharpness, acuity and contrast are needed and to block high intensity blue lighting such as UV. Good for working outdoors at dawn and dusk. Good for hazy and overcast days.

Red (Vermillion) – Absorbs green light. Sharpens visual acuity and provides a contrast similar to the contrast amber lens. Some people prefer vermillion to the amber when choosing a lens to sharpen visual acuity. Good for inspections because defects can be seen better – circuit boards, miniature components, assembly items

Green/IR shade – Blocks red/infrared (I.R.) light. Can be used any place where there is heat. Good for metal working, furnace work,

Gray/silver mirror/blue mirror – Reduces glare and bright light. Good for outdoor applications where a task specific lens is not required, indoor/outdoor mirror – Tones everything down and provides excellent vision in both indoor and outdoor lighting. Allows a person to wear the same pair of eye protection safety glasses both indoors and outdoors

Polarized – Designed for outdoor use where reflective glare from water, snow, cement and other hard surfaces exist. In many instances the use of a full-face shield is required the protection of the entire face and eyes. Always wear eye protection safety glasses underneath a face shield.