At most workplaces, employees have to wear safety eyewear to protect their eyes from harm. In the years gone by, safety goggles were not only uncomfortable but they were also quite bulky. The good news is these days you come across a wide variety of eyewear that is not only comfortable but also pretty stylish.

OSHA Requirements

If you are working in a job that poses a danger to your eyes, you have to wear safety glasses. This is an OSHA requirement. If your job entails being exposed to flying objects or dust and debris or any dangerous liquid, then you have to wear safety eyewear. When choosing your goggles, you need to ensure that it is stamped with ANSI Z87 marking.

The ANSI standard sets out the requirements for the design and construction as well as testing and use of eye protective devices. These standards also lay down the minimum requirements for impact and penetrative resistance requirements.

ANSI Marked Eyewear is Very Safe

Typically, when you wear safety goggles with ANSI markings you can rest assured that the lenses are safe to use against debris and impacts. These lenses have two protective levels including the basic impact and high-impact levels. The basic level lenses have passed the drop ball test in which an inch round street ball impacts the lenses from a distance of fifty inches. The high-impact lenses on the other hand have to pass the high-velocity tests in which a quarter-inch steel ball is sent at speed at the lens. The lens should be able to withstand such impacts.

Impact Protection
When choosing the right safety goggles, make sure that their lenses have the right impact protection level which should be displayed on the device. The basic level has the ANSI Z87 marking with a plus sign. The high-impact lenses on the other hand may have the ANSI Z87 marking with an S to denote the lenses are special-purpose lenses.

Side Shields Give More Protection

For added protection, you should choose prescription safety goggles with side shields. This may be a part of the lens or it could be a separate component. The best example of side protection is the wraparound frame style. OSHA requires extra lateral protection when the wearer is going to be exposed to flying particle hazards. Such a danger is ever-present in most occupational environments.

Additional Protection

It is in your best interest to wear safety glasses when working in laboratories or at a construction site or even in a hospital. This additional protection ensures that you won’t experience any physical damage to your eyes and nor is there a risk that you can catch an infection via different sources. Safety goggles are available in different shapes and styles. They help to effectively protect your eyes at work. It is a good idea to choose a pair that is durable and comfortable. The lenses should be made from polycarbonate materials which are known for being impact resistant. Polycarbonate lenses also ensure that your goggles stay in good shape for a long period and they provide extra protection to your eyes from foreign objects. You can even choose a pair that allows you to fit your prescription glasses to offer better visual acuity.
If you are looking for a pair that provides overall protection, then you need to pick a premium pair that has a button on the goggles that permit air to flow when the safety goggles are on your face. The nice thing about wearing premium goggles is they do not obstruct your side vision and so you can see all around you more comfortable.

Another feature that helps to make your safety eyewear more effective is the presence of anti-fog and anti-splash as well as dust and windproof features. Look for a frame that is made from soft polyethylene plastic and whose lenses are made from polycarbonate material. Such goggles provide excellent protection to people who are working in laboratories and construction sites as well as in an industrial production facility.

Finally, you need to pick safety goggles that have an easy to wear frame. It should also provide you broad coverage and at the same time, it should protect your eyes from chemical splashes and flying pollutants as well as germs.

The bottom line is that your safety spectacles will keep you safe and healthy. Just make sure that you pick something light in weight, comfortable, and which does not obscure your vision.