Products
Choosing Eye Protection Guide
It is vitally important to make sure your eyes are suitably protected from hazards while either in the workplace or during sports. 70% of all eye injuries occur from falling objects or sparks striking the eye. The most common causes of eye injury are:
- Flying objects (metal/glass)
- Tools
- Particles
- Chemicals
- Harmful Radiation
The type of eye protection needed will depend upon the activity being conducted. There are several types of products available:
Safety Glasses and Lenses
Safety glasses may be used to protect against flying objects and UVA lighting. These are available in either glass/plastic or polycarbonate, with side protection. The differences between them are as follow:
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Glass Lenses
- Not easily scratched
- May be used around harsh chemicals
- Can be made to your corrective prescription
- Can be heavy and uncomfortable
-
Plastic Lenses
- Are lighter weight
- Protect against welding splatters
- Not likely to fog
- Not as scratch resistant as glass
-
Polycarbonate
- Lightweight
- Protect against welding splatter
- Not likely to fog
- Stronger than glass or plastic
- Not as scratch resistant as glass
Safety goggles
Goggles are one of the best ways to protect the eyes because they form a complete seal around the eye area. This seal provides a full coverage that prevents and dangerous objects, tiny dust particles, vapours and chemical splashes from getting in the eyes. There are two types of goggles:
-
Direct Vented Goggles
Goggles with a direct vent are those with lots of tiny ‘holes’ in the frame to allow moisture to pass out freely. These goggles are suitable for activities which require protection from flying objects and require mist free vision. However they are unsuitable for activities which produce flying sparks or dust as they could get through the vents. -
Indirect Vented Goggles
These are more sophisticated goggles which feature ‘venting’ systems in the frame. Although allows air through, the air and particles pass through a serpentine tunnel, reducing the risk of injury greatly.
Face Shields
A protective apparatus worn to shield the wearers face from certain hazards. Face shields are only supplement protectors and must be worn in conjunction with safety glasses/goggles.
Wraparound Glasses
These glasses wraparound the face completely surrounding the eyes in order to shield them from impact, splash or vapour hazard.
Welding Goggles
These are specialist goggles which protect the wearer against sparks, molten metals whilst also providing protection against the brightness of sparks. They are available as standard or flip up.
Safety Standards for Eye Protection
- EN167 - Specifies the optical test methods for eye protectors; optical clarity, light transmittance.
- EN168 - Specifies non-optical test methods, measuring; impact resistance, molten metal, liquid and chemical splash, protection against gases and fine dust, scratch and fogging resistance.
- EN169 - Specifies the scale numbers and transmittance requirements for filters intended to protect against operators performing; welding, brazing, arc gouging and plasma jet cutting.
- EN170 - Scale numbers and transmittance requirements for filters protecting against ultraviolet radiation.
- EN172 - Scale numbers, transmittance and related requirements for sun glare filters in industrial use, including recognition of signal lights.
- EN207 - Applies to filters and eye protection used for protection used for protection against laser radiation.
If you have any further questions regarding eye protection please Contact Us for more information.
