Choosing the Right Eye Protection for the Job
There are many product features built into today’s eye protection. What considerations should be made before choosing eye protection for the job?
OSHA requires employers to ensure the safety of all employees in the work environment. Eye and face protection must be provided whenever necessary to protect against chemical, environmental, radiological or mechanical irritants and hazards.
This may sound like a simple occupational mandate to comply with, however, not one single style of safety glass or goggle fits the needs of workers performing tasks in different industries. This alone begs the question, what are some key considerations that should be taken to ensure a worker is equipped with eye protection that protect them while providing optimal vision and all-day comfort?
Advanced Lens Technologies
To narrow down the best eye protection solution, employers should first consider the environment of the workspace. There are many advanced lens technologies used in modern-day safety lens manufacturing that are designed to provide workers with comfortable vision throughout the workday. These technologies will often boost the productivity and comfort levels of wearers:
• Anti-Reflective (AR) lens coatings will improve visual acuity in any application by reducing reflections and improving visible light transmission.
• I/O blue lenses combine a blue and slight yellow tint with a mirror coating to help prevent digital eye strain.
• Polarized lenses reduce glare in bright outdoor environments involving water, sand, rocks and concrete.
• Gradient tint lenses have a slight mirror coating on the top portion of the clear lens. This tint reduces glare from high-powered overhead fluorescent and mercury lighting helping to minimize squinting and eye strain.
• Mirror coated lenses will protect against bright sunlight and provide clearer vision through the lens when compared to a standard shaded lens.
Lens Colors
Even the lens color of a safety glass or goggle can serve a specific purpose, depending on the task, the lighting conditions, and the work environment. It’s important to consider what lens color works best for the environment and job at hand:
• Clear lenses are the most popular option for general use. Most polycarbonate safety glasses with clear lenses absorb 99.9 percent of UV rays.
• Amber lenses enhance visual acuity and are ideal for professional drivers or machine operators in all environments but notably foggy, rainy, or snowy conditions.
This article originally appeared in the April/May 2024 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.