Protective Eyewear

Protective eyewear is a type of personal protective equipment (PPE) that is worn to protect the eyes from hazards such as flying objects, chemicals, radiation, or glare. Protective eyewear can include safety glasses, goggles, or face shields that are designed to meet certain standards of impact resistance and optical quality. Protective eyewear can also have special features such as anti-fog coating, tinted lenses, or prescription lenses. Protective eyewear should be chosen based on the specific hazards and tasks involved in the work environment

There are different types of eye and face protection safety glasses depending on the specific hazards and tasks involved in the work environment. Some common types are:

• Safety glasses: These are designed to protect against light to moderate impact and flying particles and are constructed of metal or plastic with impact-resistant glass or plastic lenses. Safety glasses must have shatter-proof lenses, impact-resistant frames and provide side protection.
• Goggles: These are designed to protect against chemical splashes, dust, vapors, or fumes and are constructed of flexible plastic with a tight seal around the eyes. Goggles must have shatter-proof lenses and provide ventilation to prevent fogging.
• Face shields: These are designed to protect against high-impact hazards, molten metal, hot liquids, or radiation and are constructed of transparent plastic or wire mesh that covers the entire face. Face shields must be worn with safety glasses or goggles underneath for additional eye protection.

Other types of eye and face protection safety glasses include photochromic, warden, heat-strengthened, and tempered glasses that have special features such as anti-fog coating, tinted lenses, or prescription lenses.

You should wear safety eyewear whenever there’s a risk of eye or face injury. While required in many workplaces, safety eyewear use goes well beyond obligation. Knowing when to wear safety eyewear involves using common sense to assess workplace, home, and recreation hazards