Whether you’re grinding metal or working with hot materials, millions of workers protect their eyes each day with safety glasses. However, more than 2,000 manufacturing and construction employees suffer eye injuries every year because they weren’t wearing glasses or they failed to protect them from injury. When it comes to picking out the right pair of safety glasses, you have to know what to look for in order to keep your eyes safe. We share three tips for picking the right pair so you can avoid an on-the-job eye injury.
What To Look For In Safety Glasses
Here are three factors to keep in mind when you’re picking out a pair of safety glasses for your job.
1. Look For Z87 – If you’re like most people, you probably just grab a pair of safety glasses off the rack based on appearance and price, but there’s a lot more you should look for, with the first being an indicator that the glasses are at least standard Z87. A pair of Z87 standard safety glasses means that they meet a certain government standard, which is that they can stand up to a quarter inch steel ball traveling at the speed of 150 feet per second. Glasses can also be marked Z87.1 or Z87+, meaning they can have an even higher protection standard. Standard Z87 eyewear will also have side shields for added protection. If you work in an industry where projectiles could be coming at your face at higher speeds, these are an absolute must.
2. Shade Ratings – You’re also going to want to look at shade ratings and consider what type of light setting you work in. Are you normally working in the bright sun, or in dimly lit spaces? You also have to consider shade strength if you work with heat or bright cutting torches. People who use cutting torches are required to have a shade rating of 1.5 to 3, while welders typically need to have something with at least a 10 grade. Ask co-workers or your onsite manager what shade protection you should be looking for in a pair of safety glasses.
3. Regular Inspections – Finally, the last thing to keep in mind when wearing safety glasses is that they should be inspected every time you put them on your head. They may have gotten cracked when they were in your tool box or scratched in such a way that part of your vision is obscured. Make sure you inspect your glasses every time you wear them to look for damage that could jeopardize the safety of your eyes. Because of this, it’s always a good idea to have two pairs of safety goggles so you can switch to a back up pair in the event that your current pair no longer provides you with the protection you need.
Personal eye protection is very important on the jobsite, and don’t just assume that any pair of glasses that cover your eyes will provide them with adequate protection. Keep the above three factors in mind, and in the event that you suffer an eye injury on the job, make sure you reach out to an injury law firm like Hey Workers. We’ve been able to secure compensation for countless employees who have unfortunately suffered eye injuries in the past, and we can do the same for you. Reach out to us today for a free case review.
