4 Criteria to Consider When Choosing Safety Glasses

Dealing with a barrage of occupational hazards comes with the territory of working in the construction industry. To an extent, these hazards even carry over to the plumbing trade by design. According to reviewed literature from hundreds of publications, researchers from Penn State University and the University of Texas found that construction sites are prime grounds for dangers that can damage the eyes. Burns, debris, and inhalation are among the most common incidents, and while the sector does not have the highest frequency of ocular chemical burns to the eye, it has the most damaging incidents. 

In addition, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 18,510 eye-related injuries from workers in 2020. Of these, more than 2,000 cases were in the construction trade, and most stemmed from contact with objects or equipment. With these risks constantly in play, workers must take extra precautions to keep their vision safe. After all, this can directly impact their ability to work effectively and affect the overall quality of their life beyond the construction site.

Do safety glasses make a difference on construction sites? 

One slip-up can do significant damage, but wearing proper protective eyewear can make a difference. Statistically speaking, 90% of eye injuries that lead to medical intervention could have been avoided by wearing safety goggles relevant to the task performed. Even in the most intense incidents, this can minimize otherwise catastrophic and potentially irreparable damage to your vision.

In Injury Epidemiology, workers said they avoided proper eye gear because it affected comfort and visibility. This can easily be remedied by choosing models that adhere to standards imposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

In visually taxing environments with intensive tasks or for employees that may require corrective vision, workers should get prescription safety glasses labeled accordingly. Legitimate brands like Wiley and Oakley have various models across price ranges that meet or exceed OSHA safety standards. These also hit the requirements established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which require eyewear to have correct refractive powers, high optical quality, haze for clear lenses, and luminous transmittance. These factors ensure you can see your surroundings well and perceive objects with the correct depth and clarity. 

Ensure glasses meet the proper criteria—not just to pass a checklist of guidelines but to provide adequate protection during work activities. With record lows in safety inspections, it may be up to workers themselves to advocate for themselves and maintain a high safety standard to protect yourself and others.

Safety Glasses Standards

Clarity and durability 

The first thing to check is the build quality of the lenses and the frame itself. Glasses should not break from regular wear and tear and should not compromise vision. This makes clarity and durability go hand in hand, as the workplace requires PPE that won’t break while worn and provides visual sharpness. Generally, look for material that can withstand shifts in temperature, is resistant to impact, and won’t warp easily. Ensure the surface is resistant to scratches, as constant movement and external forces will make that a huge possibility.

A good example of a model that even exceeds the ANSI Z87 standard is the Oakley M Frame 2.0 Industrial, which can withstand high mass and high velocity and uses an O Matter wrap-around frame to withstand wind and both outdoor and indoor conditions. 

Secure, comfortable fit

There should be no room for exterior elements like wind or debris to hit the eye. A secure, tight fit with materials that grip on should work well for this purpose, but avoid anything too tight or bulky. A lightweight frame with high-quality materials and a solid protective design is the best bet to balance security and comfort for long days of construction work.

The Wiley X P-17 embodies this ideal. It is certified to meet ANSI Z87.1+, to meet correct safety standards and deliver a snug, long-term fit. Its plastic frame is connected to wire cores with flexible temples that can be adjusted as needed to ensure that rims stay where they are needed during tasks. Essentially, there should be no wobbly movement from the frames but still be light enough not to add unnecessary fatigue.

Protective lens coatings

Aside from impact resistance, ensure that lenses have a protective coating that helps manage UV radiation, glare, and fog. These factors can impact vision, cause discomfort, and lead to visual impairment. In fact, the sneakier concern here is the visual deterioration that may not be immediately noticed. The body can adjust to minute changes in vision, so workers may not realize a problem until it’s too late.

It’s also worth noting that OSHA doesn’t have as many established regulations regarding non-ionizing radiation, so construction worksites are not required to limit exposure to UV rays and other light hazards, be they from natural or artificial sources. This is even more problematic when working outside. Sunglasses with UV protection have been proven to decrease these risks, even with regular exposure at peak levels, depending on the time of day. Opt for something like the Ranger Phantom 2.0 with interchangeable lenses, sun shields, and durable material.

Task-specific compliance

Ensure that the type of safety glasses used are the right kind for the tasks being worked on. Finding a pair that is officially confirmed and labeled as OSHA and ANSI-compliant is usually a good enough benchmark. Still, it’s best to double-check if the materials of the model complement the objective at hand. In practice, shielding on the sides would be imperative for debris and wind-heavy tasks, anti-fog is necessary for temperature shifts, splash resistance and durability will be required for chemically-heavy work, and impact resistance will be crucial for labor-intensive acts and heavy machinery. 

For instance, the Wiley X WX Valor is a prescription-compatible model with a wingtip design to protect against slips or unexpected impact. The double bridge prevents shaking from movement, and the lenses can be fitted to be polarized, anti-fog, and scratch-resistant. This is also good for situations where the user might be contending with lots of glare.

Final Thoughts 

Ultimately, choosing good safety glasses goes beyond trying to avoid temporary discomfort. It’s about maintaining quality of life and establishing a safety culture that makes the work environment feel more conducive to productivity.

Injuries can take their toll on physical and mental well-being, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Taking time to find the right gear can be a simple yet massive step toward creating long-term satisfaction and success for any number of projects.