Proper training, encouraging supervision, a strong safety culture, and consistent environment, health, and safety (EHS) reporting are the most impactful determiners of eye safety in construction and manufacturing. However, nothing safeguards workers’ vision against workplace hazards better than utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Employers and workers alike should consider the following 7 factors when considering different styles of OSHA-approved eye protection. 

1. Suitability 

Different styles of protective eyewear suit specific hazards. What is effective against chemicals or molten metal may do little to keep eyes protected when it comes to dealing with airborne debris. Wearing unsuitable gear while working with projectile flying objects can be a significant risk, even if it meets OSHA 1910.133 and the American National Standards Institute requirements. Conducting a PPE assessment before work begins is an essential part of combatting the hazards common to construction sites, such as flying objects. Of all eye-specific PPE on the market, the best general investments in eye safety are safety spectacles with side shields, wraparound safety glasses, and direct-ventilation and closed-vent goggles. 

2. Impact Resistance 

Some safety glasses and goggles are more resistant to impact damage than others. Shatter-prone equipment causes more harm than good, as it is likely to cause injury if broken while wearing. Additionally, though a face shield offers extra protection, users should still avoid non-impact-resistant eyewear. 

Products rated for high-mass and high-velocity impact resistance tests provide excellent protection. The high-mass impact resistance test determines whether the eyewear’s lenses and frames can withstand the force of a heavier object. The high-velocity impact resistance test determines whether the glasses’ lenses and frames can remain damage-free when struck by a fast-moving flying object. 

3. Peripheral Vision 

Clear, adequate peripheral vision is essential when working on a construction site. Unobstructed peripheral vision can be part of preventing horrible workplace accidents linked to what OSHA considers the four deadliest hazards — falls, caught-in or -between incidents, struck-by, and electrocution. Safety eyewear should have a wide viewing area. Otherwise, the protective device will be more of a handicap than an aid when workers’ tasks involve dangerous power-actuated tools. 

4. Comfort 

Suitable, impact-resistant PPE for eyes that provides sufficient peripheral vision can come to nothing when the discomfort associated with wearing it causes workers to forgo the process altogether. Eye safety gear should fit the contours of the individual wearer’s face, providing a complete seal around the eyes to keep flying objects from going around or under them.  
 
Fit-testing for PPE may be a necessary step to ensure that workers are provided adequate protection. Once the fit-testing has been conducted, the results and reminders for renewals can be stored and automated with the aid of EHS management software. If 100% fit is unattainable, the PPE should at least be adjustable. Soft nose bridges, slotted ribs, and adjustable ratchet temples are some of the features ergonomic protective eye devices have. 

5. Compatibility 

Head-to-toe protection is essential on construction sites, so workers should wear safety eyewear that is compatible with their other PPE. For example, using earmuffs while wearing safety specs or goggles with a thick temple can jeopardize hearing when workers are operating heavy machinery or exposed to any number of other construction-related noises that can register at 80-90 decibels or louder. Thankfully, PPE manufacturers are typically aware of compatibility issues and strive to develop the best gear combination to offer superior worker protection at construction and manufacturing sites. 

6. Fogging 

Condensation on lenses can occur when using above-the-neck PPE because the tight seals can restrict airflow. Fogging decreases visibility, becoming a workplace hazard itself. Fortunately, most safety glasses and goggles come with anti-fog coating. The performance of this aid diminishes when cleaned with water, but protective eyewear with advanced coating can ensure clearer visibility longer than traditional gear treated for anti-fog after dozens of washes. 

7. Scratches 

Scratched lenses negatively affect optical clarity. They distort the view, straining eyes, causing headaches/fatigue, and driving down workers’ overall performance and productivity. There are two lens options to prevent scratching and avoid its effects — scratch-resistant coating and replaceable lenses. The former helps prevent vision impairment for extended periods, while the latter is economical. 

Search for the Best Protective Eyewear 

Finding the correct safety equipment to safeguard workers against flying objects can be challenging but considering these 7 tips can be a starting point. When effort is taken to process these critical factors and apply them in the assessment of hazards, the sourcing of tried and tested eye safety gear, the conducting of fit tests, and the following of safety protocols, worker safety is truly shown to be a priority. Additionally, there are resources that can bring management and workers together in understanding the importance of eye safety and what PPE will be most appropriate in a given setting to protect eyes from flying objects.

Publisher Bio

The SafetyStratus Research Advisory Group (RAG) brings together thought leaders from the global environmental, health, and safety community to promote best practices and provide key insights in the profession and the industries they serve. The Research Advisory Group also advocates, where practical, the intersection of and advances with the use of technology, such as the SafetyStratus enterprise EHS software platform. Group membership consists of representatives from across varied disciplines and market sectors as well as select members of the SafetyStratus team.
The primary objectives of the SafetyStratus RAG partnership are to:

• Build a strategic partnership between EHS practitioners and the SafetyStratus team.
• Provide engaging and practical content to the global EHS community.
• Provide discipline and market feedback specific to SafetyStratus products and services.

While the objectives of the RAG are varied, the primary public-facing outcome will be available through engaging and practical content found on the SafetyStratus resource pages. Various articles, papers, and other valuable resources will be produced and shared as part of an ongoing effort to cultivate a robust community. Ultimately, the SafetyStratus RAG will expand to have a broader reach and provide opportunities for more inclusion by all interested EHS professionals in a collaborative community environment.