Our sight is a precious, but at the same time vulnerable sense. Many accidents occur every year, resulting in permanent damage to one's eyesight. It is therefore important to wear suitable safety glasses during work activities where you are at risk of eye damage. What hazards can cause damage to your eyes and what type of safety glasses do you wear to protect against which risks? Read all about it in this article.
Hazards that can lead to eye damage
There are several dangers that can lead to eye damage. These risks are classified into 3 different risk groups; eye damage due to mechanical hazard, eye damage due to chemical or biological hazard and eye damage due to optical hazard. Safety glasses prevent damage to the eyes and eyesight by protecting against these risks.
Eye damage due to mechanical hazard:
This is the most common risk for eye damage and is responsible for many cases of eye damage each year. Mechanical hazard means that during work activities you're at risk of getting small solid particles, such as splinters or dust, in your eyes that can damage your eyes and vision. Safety glasses prevent eye damage from mechanical hazards.
Eye damage due to chemical or biological hazard:
Examples of chemical or biological hazards include splashes of hazardous substances such as acids, solvents and gases. When these chemical or biological substances get into your eyes, it is harmful to your eyes and eyesight. By wearing eye protection that protects against these risks, such as a goggles, you can continue to do your work safely.
Eye damage due to optical hazard:
Optical hazard means that you're at risk of damaging your eyes and/or vision by looking in bright light from, for example, lasers, or infrared and ultraviolet light. An example of damage due to optical hazard is welding eyes, where the cornea is damaged by UV light during welding. But welding eyes can also be caused by being in the sun for a long time, such as on a ski slope. Wearing welding glasses prevents damage to your eyes due to optical hazards.
Different types of safety glasses
To prevent damage to your eyes, it is important to always wear eye protection in the form of safety glasses during work activities that involve these risks. There are several types of safety glasses, each offering protection against one or more types of eye damage risks as described above. Which safety glasses are suitable for you depends on the work you perform and therefore the risks to which your eyes are exposed. We only have safety glasses of the best brands and highest quality in our range. Some of our top brands of safety glasses include: Bollé, 3M, MSA., Roots and UVEX.
Safety glasses
Safety glasses protect the eyes against the dangers of (heavy) dust, grinding splashes and liquid splashes that are not dangerous to the skin. Safety glasses often look like normal glasses, but the lenses of safety glasses are made of tempered glass or plastic. The frame is made of metal or plastic. Furthermore, various additional options are possible when choosing safety glasses. For example, consider safety glasses with:
- UV filter
- Anti-fog coating
- Anti-scratch coating
- Reflective glasses
Welding glasses
Many sparks are released during welding. It is important to cover your eyes and entire face to provide optimal protection against hot sparks, UV light and infrared radiation but also against visible bright light. Often not only welding glasses, but also a welding mask are used. This protects not only the eyes, but the entire face. Welding glasses have flip-up lenses to inspect the weld when the flame has been removed from the welding object. The glasses are green or gray, depending on the type of welding work. Depending on the model welding glasses are also used while skiing. Naturally all welding glasses are equipped with a welding filter. However, additional options are also possible when choosing welding glasses, such as:
- UV filter
- Anti-fog coating
- Anti-scratch coating
Fit-over glasses
The fit-over glasses are intended to be worn over normal prescription glasses. This allows you to continue to see clearly even if you have an eye defect, and your eyes are protected against the dangers of dust, grinding splashes and liquid splashes that are not dangerous to the skin. Fit-over glasses are generally cheap, but usually less scratch-resistant and comfortable. However, fit-over glasses are available with additional options, such as:
- Anti-fog coating
- Anti-scratch coating
Wide View Goggles
Wide view goggles protect the eyes against chemical and biological hazards, such as splashes of hazardous substances, acids, gases and solvents. Wide view glasses are available in various designs and are suitable for wearing over prescription glasses. Vented or non-vented glasses are available with adjustable straps and foam seals. In addition, wide view glasses are also available with additional options, such as:
- UV filter
- Welding filter
- Anti-fog coating
- Anti-scratch coating
Ensure complete protection during your work
To make the right choice for eye protection, it is important to know which risks you come into contact with during your work. You make a choice based on this and any additional desired options. Safety glasses are also often used in combination with others personal protective equipment, such as, for example earplugs, ear muffs, safety helmets, dust masks FFP2, dust masks FFP3 or half face masks. This way you ensure complete protection while working in combination with the right ones work clothes and work boots or work boots.