Glasses Safety

Many of us put ourselves and our eyes in danger every single day without knowing it. Every day activities such as gardening, painting and playing sports can be just as hazardous to our eyes as when working in a dangerous occupation.

There are over 2,000 reported work-related eye injuries every single day in the USA, with hundreds more outside work and at home. Statistics have shown that up to 90 per cent of all eye injuries could have been avoided had they been wearing adequate safety glasses.

Safety glasses differ from normal glasses in that they have been specifically designed to provide the ultimate in eye safety from all angles. They are made from strong materials that have been tested thoroughly and adhere to strict standards as set by the ANSI (American National Standards Institute). Safety glasses are put into one of two safety categories: basic impact and high impact.

Basic impact safety glasses have a Z87 marking on the lenses, whereas high impact safety glasses can be recognized by a Z87+ marking on both the lenses and the frames. Basic impact safety glasses are tested by dropping a 1 inch diameter steel ball onto the lenses from a height of 10 feet. If the lenses neither chip, crap or break then they will be given a basic impact safety rating. To receive a high impact safety rating they must go through much tougher tests including shooting a steel ball at both the lenses and frames (as one unit), and only if they do not crack, chip or break, nor do the lenses come away from the frames will they be given a high impact safety rating. You should ensure that whichever safety glasses you choose will provide adequate enough protection for your specific needs. If in doubt, choose safety glasses with the maximum protection so that you are covered under all circumstances.

 

 

You will be spoilt for choice when you are buying safety glasses. No matter what purpose your safety glasses are intended for there will be safety glasses available specifically for your needs. Safety glasses come in a range of different styles, colors and sizes. You can choose from a range of lens tints, coatings and materials as well as different frames.

Many people choose to have colored lens tints with their safety glasses. There are many benefits to having a colored tint, and different colors offer various benefits. If you work in low-light conditions then amber tinted safety glasses are a great option, as they help increase the contrast between colors making it easier to differentiate between objects. Gray tinted lenses are best used in bright light environments, particularly if you work outdoors.

Some of the lens coatings available include anti-fog, anti-scratch, polarized and UV protection coatings. Anti-scratch coating is particularly advised for those that purchase polycarbonate lens safety glasses as these can scratch a lot more easily than other materials. Anti-fog is very helpful for those that work in humid or tight conditions to ensure that your vision remains clear at all times.

 

* AO SUNGLASSES are NOT ANSI Z87.1-2003 safety glasses

 

Even if you require extra magnification for reading there are safety glasses for you. Bifocal reader safety glasses are the most popular choice for those that have generally good vision but just need help reading. Bifocal safety glasses are very reasonably priced too, with prices starting at less than $10 per pair.

Safety glasses also come in various sizes. Smaller safety glasses are available for women, children and men with smaller face shapes. Many brands also offer more child-friendly designs to ensure your child enjoys wearing their safety glasses.

There are numerous brands of safety glasses available including: Pyramex, AO Safety, All Safe, and Crews. All these brands, and other brands, offer a range of lens and frame options to choose from all meeting or exceeding ANSI safety standards.

AO Safety are the best selling and most popular brand of safety glasses. They have a great range of glasses for a variety of different purposes including bifocals, tinted and photochromics. Prices start from less than $8 per pair.