As one of the most sensitive parts of the human body, the eyes of industrial workers are exposed every day to a high risk of damage and irritation. It is not without reason that one of the basic elements of protective clothing in really many work environments are safety glasses, which are designed to protect the eyes from harmful agents while providing adequate visual comfort. However, due to the variety of hazards present in workplaces, it is impossible to create one-size-fits-all resistant safety glasses, which is why manufacturers divide the offered products both in terms of design differences and resistance to specific factors. What types of safety glasses can be found in health and safety stores?
Types of protective eyewear - division by design differences
The basic division of protective eyewear available in the offers of manufacturers of occupational safety and health accessories takes into account the design differences used to guarantee different levels of eye protection during work. The main distinctions are:
- Classic safety glasses, resembling sports goggles in shape and usually covering only the eyes, are the most basic variant of safety glasses. Equipped with glasses made of unbreakable glass or plastic, the glasses serve as protection against splinters of solids and liquids. Manufacturers, by using various coatings with protective filters in the glasses, can further enrich the glasses with protection against ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation or bright and dazzling light. In this category, we can also find sunglasses used primarily by road workers and anyone who has to do their work outdoors with high UV radiation.
- Safety goggles are a category of goggles that fit much tighter and closer to the face around the eyes and protect them from dangerous splashes or liquids entering the eye. Protective goggles usually have much higher protective properties than classic glasses and are prepared in such a way that, despite the better adhesion to the face, they do not evaporate from the inside. Manufacturers here usually use a dedicated system of direct or indirect ventilation (required when working with harmful chemical agents), so as to ensure maximum comfort when working in goggles.
- Full face shields, usually made of plastic or metal mesh, are designed to protect not only the immediate eye area, but the entire face. Their design is adapted to work in a variety of environments, including, for example, when working with hazardous chemicals or where the risk of hitting the face with debris and filings is increased. Face shields are mounted on a self-supporting headpiece or adapted for mounting on a protective helmet.
- Welding protection, i.e. all kinds of visors and welding shields, is a special type of eye protection, providing complete protection of the entire face against hot sparks and splinters, as well as harmful radiation emitted during welding work. Such visors usually use a rigid body, a special frame with unbreakable glass, and a filter that protects the eyes from radiation and allows you to look comfortably in the direction of the welding being performed.
Health and safety eyewear, and hazardous factors in the working environment
Another used division of safety glasses, marked by manufacturers in the product specifications, is the criteria for protection against specific hazardous factors in the working environment. A distinction can be made here, among other things, between glasses that protect against mechanical factors, or so-called "anti-glare glasses. This category includes traditional glasses, as well as goggles and full face shields. Another factor that safety glasses can protect against are chemicals and dust. Such goggles primarily use materials that are resistant to most chemicals. Goggles, because these represent the best design solution for protecting the eyes from chemicals, should have indirect ventilation, which prevents the entry of dust particles and liquid droplets. On a similar basis, goggles are constructed to protect against biological and thermal agents.
A special category of protective goggles and accessories used to protect the entire face are products designed for welding. Here the number of hazards occurring in the workplace is so high that the preparation of appropriate goggles, goggles or full visor requires consideration of both protection against mechanical and thermal factors and the radiation that occurs. The selection of appropriate welding equipment should include a check of all applicable standards for welding protective equipment.
