The human eye is tough and has some natural protection, but is no
match for many hazardous situations you come in contact with daily.
Knowing how to protect your eyes from hazards can insure you and your
family a lifetime of good vision.
 Protective
Eyewear
The best protection against any eye hazard is protective eyewear.
The type of safety eyewear needed depends on the types of hazards involved.
Impact-resistant spectacles provide limited frontal protection against
flying particles. Prescription lenses must, by federal regulation,
be made impact-resistant. But this does not mean they are safety lenses
or unbreakable.
Safety glasses contain glass or plastic lenses that meet industrial
safety lens standards. The lenses provide frontal protection against
flying objects and should be placed in special frames designed to hold
the lenses securely under heavy impact. Side shields of several different
types can be attached to the sides of the frames for additional protection.
Tinted lenses provide various levels of protection from infrared and
ultraviolet radiation Provide protection from glare and the discomfort
from strong sunlight.
Contact lenses do not provide needed eye protection. Wearing appropriate
safety eyewear over contact lenses can provide adequate protection.
Goggles offer frontal and side protection. Some can be worn over regular
glasses for protection against flying objects.
Welding goggles or shields have special absorptive lenses for protection
against welding rays, sparks and flying particles.
Face shields provide splash protection when working with chemicals,
but are not made for heavy impact. When working with highly toxic chemicals,
goggles should be worn under face shield.
Which type of lens is best?
Lenses can be made of glass or plastic. Both offer good impact resistance.
Glass does not scratch as easily but can be heavy. Plastic lenses are
lighter in weight and more resistant to welding spatter. They are also
less likely to fog. Plastic lenses tend to scratch more easily than
glass but anti-scratch coatings help strengthen them.
The safest material is a light weight plastic called Polycarbonate.
Excessively scratched, chipped, or pitted lenses lose their impact
resistance and should be replaced. Eye protection equipment should
fit snugly and correctly.
Federal law requires that employees who work in eye hazardous areas
must have the appropriate safety eyewear available and use it. If the
employee requires prescription eyewear then they can have their prescription
filled in the appropriate frame and safety lenses. Regular glasses
are no substitute for safety glasses.
Proper eye protection is important at home as well as at work. 40%
of all eye accidents resulting in blindness happen at home.
Power tools can throw pieces of metal, wood or other particles into
the eye with tremendous impact. Using a hammer is very dangerous. Regular
eyewear is not enough protection. Safety eyeglasses or goggles worn
over regular glasses, can provide the needed protection.
Yard work can also be hazardous. Using the lawn mower and pruning
shrubs and trees are potentially dangerous situations. Spraying the
plants with fertilizer or insecticide is dangerous. You don't want
poison drops landing on your eyes. When working around the yard, be
sure to protect your eyes.
Many common household products can cause serious burns if splashed
into the eyes. These include cleaning compounds such as bleach, ammonia,
and drain and oven cleaners. Read the labels first, then use and handle
with care. Protect your eyes from splashing with eyeglasses or goggles.
Non-prescription eye protective equipment can be purchased from most
hardware and hobby stores. If you require prescription safety eyewear,
we will assist you in selecting the most appropriate eye protection
for your needs.
|
